Transcript: 29th Ordinary Council Meeting, Day 2

Caucus break and sound checks

00:00:00Rule 81, it's your 91, excuse me, which is your page 4.

00:00:08It's your page 102.

00:00:13Thank you, Councillor Zigebe, for that.

00:00:22Eh, thank you, Speaker. Eh, I would like to ask for a 15 minutes caucus break before we proceed. Thank you.

00:00:34Councillor Lebatlang wants a caucus break. Can I give you 10 minutes?

00:00:43Can you work with that? Okay, time starts now.

00:05:44Check sound, 1, 2.

00:05:461, 2.

00:06:06Check, check sound, 1, 2, 3, 4.

00:09:02isiZulu[inaudible] sawubona mnumzane.

00:09:11Why do we change the sound, there can never be sound.

00:09:15isiZuluHhayi, sekukhona i-sound. Inkinga inibiza nani izigwebo [inaudible]

00:12:451, 2, 1, 2.

00:13:11Councillors, we're done with the caucus break.

00:13:20No, it's not. No.

00:13:22No elevation yet.

00:13:29Councillor Lebatlang, you are the one who asked for a caucus, please give us feedback.

00:13:39SesothoMaar Gatiep ke mahlatswa mosi.

00:13:53The same thing could be done in the metro of Joburg.

00:13:57It's understood that they're not changing the motion.

00:14:00Councillor Lebatlang?

00:14:02Yes, thank you Speaker. We have spoken, we are all clear. Thanks.

00:14:09Thank you.

Items 35 and 36: Finance Q2 performance and Section 79 oversight report

00:14:17Eh, councillors, we are resuming on item 35 which is the performance assessment report for the Finance

00:14:26for the period October to December 2024 read with item 36, which is an oversight report of the Section 79 Finance Committee on the 2024/25 second quarter performance assessment report of the Group Finance Department and Group Information

00:14:42Department for period October to December 2024.

00:14:49Thank you, Secretary.

00:14:52Councillor Avant-Smith, we are streaming right now.

00:14:56I would like to call the member in charge, Councillor Edward.

00:15:34Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocols observed. I rise to table the oversight report of the Finance Section 79 Committee on the second quarter performance reports for the period October to December 2024. The analysis of the department's second quarter report against the annual SDBIP and its own scorecard shows that the department achieved only 8 out of 15 KPIs.claim

00:16:04And 4 out of 6 service standards. The revenue collection rate dropped to 84%, Madam Speaker, missing the 87.7% target and decreasing from the previous quarter's 86.8%. The total outstanding debt has risen to R60.7 billion with water-related debt increasing to R32 billion.claim

00:16:33The city's cash or cost coverage ratio dropped from 10 days in 2023/2024 to just four days in the second quarter of 2024/2025, far below the 30-day target and the National Treasury guideline for one month. Madam Speaker, the way in which we pay our debtors has dropped, eh our creditors has dropped as a city and we need to improve on that as well.claim

00:17:08The department did not achieve its target of paying 100% of valid invoices within 30 days. In the second quarter, 75.15% of invoices were paid compared to 78.82 in the previous quarter. There has been a downward trend highlighting the cash flow management problems currently being experienced by the city.claim

00:17:38Financially, the revenue up to the second quarter amounted to R40.6 billion. The operating expenditure for the year amounted to R39.7 billion. The capital expenditure incurred by the end of the second quarter amounted to R2.1claim

00:18:01% It is with concern that the committee notes that by the end of the second quarter, there were still some departments who had not incurred any expenditure, while the Johannesburg Development Agency recorded spending of 111% already over the budget. Looking at the expenditure from the various grants, there was 38% spent from the Urban Settlement Development Grant.claim

00:18:33Still no spending reported for the Public Transport Network Grant. 20.5% spent on the Informal Settlement Upgrading Partnership Grant, and 94.26 spent from the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant. Thank you, Madam Speaker, as I table these reports.claim

00:18:56Thank you, member in charge. ACDP, Councillor Mkhonza.

00:19:06Yes, um, thank you, Madam Speaker. Shalom, shalom. Allow me to first acknowledge our Almighty God, eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Um, to also greet the Executive Mayor in absentia, all councillors, ACDP constituents, the residents of our beloved City of Johannesburg, I greet you all in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior King Jesus, the Prince of Peace, amen.

00:19:37Amen.

00:19:38Allow me to first quote again from my guiding manual, the Holy Bible. From the book of Matthew 23:25-28. It reads as follows: First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.

00:20:09The ACDP caucus notes quarter two performance assessment report for Finance Department for the year 2024/25 financial year with the overall 53% performance. However, our major focus will be on the revenue collection. The ACDP firmly believes that the decline in revenue collection can be traced back to the introduction of Project Phakama, which was imposed on the city without sufficient consideration of its long-term

00:20:40implications. While the project aimed to streamline revenue collection and enhance customer service through an integrated billing system, it ultimately failed to achieve these objectives. Instead of improving efficiency, the centralized approach led to significant billing [inaudible], poor customer service, and a growing frustration [inaudible]. The failure of Project Phakama not only weakened the city's ability to collect revenue effectively

00:21:08eroded public trust in the municipality's financial management system. This misstep has had a

00:21:18sustainability. However, the ACDP is encouraged by the recent decision to return billing responsibilities to the relevant municipal entities as outlined in the SDBIP's KPI number seven. This move signals a much-needed course correction that could restore accountability, improve accuracy in revenue collection, and ultimately enhance service delivery. Decentralizing

00:21:48for service provision is a step in the right direction as it allows for better oversight, greater efficiency, and a more responsive [inaudible] experience. The ACDP remains hopeful that this restructuring will continue to

00:22:08urges the administration to ensure a smooth transition to prioritize transparency, efficiency, and in the interest of the residents. As the ACDP, we continue to pray and work [inaudible] of life for our residents, crime-free, well-maintained and clean City of Johannesburg. God bless Africa, God bless South Africa, where literally there is no country. We also pray for the peace in the Middle East, the Palestinians

00:22:40Israel, her people, and the unconditional release of all the remaining hostages. I thank you.

00:22:51Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

00:22:55Well done, my brother. Nice one.

00:23:15Good morning to you, Madam Speaker, fellow councillors, all protocol observed. Madam Speaker, if I go on a Saturday morning to Checkers to buy my weekly or my monthly groceries, and I fill up my trolley, and I walk out of the doors without paying, there are going to be consequences. They're going to arrest me, they're going to charge me, they're going to find me guilty, and I'm going to end up in jail. Madam Speaker, why is it soclaim

00:23:47that 16% of our city reckons that we do not need to pay for our services? We can receive services from the city, water, electricity, sanitation, and a few other services, that you do not pay for that? Um, and Madam Speaker, every month, every quarter, I'm hammering on collection rate. National Treasury's target is 95%. The city's target is 87%. In quarter one, we nearly achieved that, 86.8%. In quarter two, it dropped down to 84%.claim

00:24:25And if we do not collect our billings, it hampers our service delivery. Every single report of every department in this city complains about budget restraints. We do not have money to render the services that we ought to service. Um, and this needs to change. If you look in the second quarter report, um, our cash reserves have gone down to R1.8 billion. It's a purely an academic figure. Our cash cost to cost ratio is four days, so we got four days money in the bankclaim

00:25:00to pay our creditors. Um, the norm is I think 30 days. Um, but that norm is not even important anymore. The most important one, and that is reflected because you can have money in your bank, if you don't pay your bills you'll have money in your bank. Our creditors' payment, which should be 30 days, is standing at 85 days. So, our creditors have to wait 85 days before they get paid. And that is why they stop rendering services to the city,claim

00:25:32and that influences back again into our residents. So, we are spiraling down, and this spiral downwards has to stop. Um, we have spent last year R400 million to debt collectors, and still our collection rate is down. So, that is also, as far as I'm concerned, wasteful expenditure. We got nothing to see for that. And Madam Speaker, the most concerning item in this report is, yes, we are showing a surplus of R895 million for the quarter, um, great stuff,claim

00:26:03but if you go into the details, our debt impairment reduced by R1.2 billion. And everybody can understand, if you collect less, our bad debts will go up. Now, according to the report, it went down. It went down by R1.25 billion. And the reason for that is, and you read it in the body of the report, we did not make provision for bad debts write-off from October to December. And that is very concerning. So, based on this report of an R895 million surplus,claim

00:26:36we are making assumptions for our adjustment budget. We are basing our new year's budget on those figures while we did not make provision for an expense. This is shocking. We cannot have this type of report showing a surplus while in fact we made a loss for the quarter. Madam Speaker, this is very, very, very concerning. It just cannot be. And then they tell in the report that when we get 84% against the target of 87, we narrowly miss our target.claim

00:27:05Madam Speaker, we did not narrowly miss our target. We missed it by a moerse margin, because that narrowly, that 3.7% shortfall cost us R644 million in the quarter. Madam Speaker, weclaim

00:27:2230 seconds remaining.

00:27:23if we do not acknowledge our problems, and we call it a narrowly miss, we are really going on a bad path. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.claim

00:27:39Thank you, Councillor Boer. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

00:27:48isiZuluNgibonge Somlomo, Mvelase. Ngibingelele amakhansela akulo mkhandlu. Ngibingelele nalaba abasivakashele nabasibukele nezintatheli nezakhamuzi zakuleli dolobha, kwaNdonga zyaduma, kuphela amazinyo endoda, kwaNyama ayipheli. Ngizothi nje qaphu qaphu Somlomo angeke ngibe mude, yize ngimude. Useshiwo usihlalo wethu uKhansela Edward,

00:28:26isiZuluuSihlalo uChairperson we Section 79 wezezimali, ngalokho ke angeke ngisho okuningi.

00:28:35isiZuluUKhansela Edward selokhu efikile kunoshintsho nenguquko kakhulu. Ungibona ngibamba kanje ngesika Mageba ngenzela ukuthi kube khona abangezwa lutho. Ngibonge ke Speaker, ngibonge uKhansela Edward ngikuthulela isigqoko. ActionSA notes the report.

00:29:04Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. I'll move over to the DA, Councillor Santana.

00:29:12Morning, Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak about item 35, the performance assessment report for the Finance Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period October to December 2024. As always, the current government of local unity and its administration are playing fast and loose with the truth and with the compliance of legislation. Madam Speaker, we are living in a perpetual Groundhog Day.claim

00:29:46violate the law and the standing and orders of council when it comes to our quarterly reports. Which law and standing of and orders of council, you may ask? Well, firstly, the narrative at the end of a quarter submit aclaim

00:30:00Report must be tabled to council on the implementation of the budget and the financial state of affairs of the municipality. If we apply the above section of the MFMA to the performance assessment report of the Group Finance tabled before us we haveclaim

00:30:1826th day of March making it 85 days less the 30 days after the quarter as per the act equates to the report before us being put 55 days late.claim

00:30:32of the act. Noting all the previous financial quarterly reports were more than 120 days late coming to the council. Secondly, that of the Standing Rules and Orders of Council, chapter 4, duties of the members of the mayoral committee to the legislature, Rule 35.1claim

00:30:52Every member of the mayoral collective must submit to the legislature, a, quarterly reports of the department and municipal entities within 60 days from the end of the quarter. Again if we apply the same principles under standing rule 35.1 a, to the report to the performance assessment report of Group Finance, this report being before us is 25 days late, again

00:31:15and Orders of Council. And again I have to highlight all financial quarterly reports were more than 90 days late which is in violation of this event. Here is a difficult philosophical question to the MMC of Finance in this regard.

00:31:36to the mayor and MMC of finance is what remedial actions do you have against the mayor and

00:31:46The answer, Madam Speaker, as the custodian of the legislature within this council, the responsibility to address these violations resides within your office. We as the Democratic

00:32:00advocate for good governance and financial prudence request that you consider the provisions under the act, the Standing Orders and Rules of Council and refer these matters to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, thank you.

00:32:24Greetings to the commander in chief of the EFF

00:32:32Economic Freedom Fighters, the Commissars, fighters, the ground forces of the EFF, the [inaudible].

00:32:41of Portfolio Committee of Finance, I would like to inform the house that the report was tabled at the goal as we saw in the name of transparency and accountability. This report are very important as a tool of tracker not even achieved and look into ways we can plan on achieving it. More time and effort is put into the SDBIP and the KPIs that need to be achieved. We do not believe that the remote is a one-size

00:33:12fits all solution. We commend the department by having plans of action to mitigate some of those plans of action, we have read them before and they have not produced outstanding results. Key performance indicators were not been achieved in this report particularly number seven, which is percentage collection of revenue in respect of the SDBIP.

00:33:42system was being upgraded and that affected operations where some meters could not be billed. That was my line in the billing data which was not billed which had

00:33:56affected operations. What it means there is an element of lack of planning in the relevant department, a planning will require having a backup system while the current was being upgraded, this is possible with the technology in 2025. We cannot run a city like an informal spaza shop that operates in Zandspruit.

00:34:20The proposed plan of action for this indicator include water restriction for accounts owing for more than 60 days, we would like to warn

00:34:33on Joburg Water, the highest consideration for the poor. The justification on some of the indicators not achieved

00:34:43unconvincing and solid. One wonders whether the current leadership is taking the portfolio committee and the team seriously on the matters we do, what we see

00:34:56information. You place a pure leadership to combat the issues in the work of the city cannot afford to be placed on hold because of leadership.

00:35:12We positively acknowledge, however, we need to guard against the decline. There is something that we are doing right to get 32%. We must do better and more efficiently. Leadership mustilling and willingness to make sure we improve the percentage, this will have a positive impact on the development and maintenance of high standards of the service delivery in the city.

00:35:42The department achieved 8 of the 14 indicators which

00:35:46The remaining six will require a lot of genuine love for our people and collaboration from all stakeholders

00:35:56Free, free Palestine from the river to the sea. I thank you.

00:36:07Thank you, Councilor. ANC, Councilor Maswazi.

00:36:16Thank you, Speaker.

00:36:26Dada Morero, greetings to the Whip of the Council, the Chief Whip of the Council, Comrade Sthembiso Zungu, fellow councilors, good day to you all. Speaker, I stand on item

00:36:42performance assessment report of the Finance Department for the 24/25 financial year for the period October to December 2024. As the ANC we note

00:36:57of 14 KPIs have been achieved and also four of the six KPIs of

00:37:03Revenue collection and debt collection must also not be compromised because they touch the heart of the service delivery. The governance cluster has established 11 Mayoral priorities, of which Group Finance contributes to four of those priorities. Amongst them it is good governance and financial sustainability, so it is imperative that we adhere to those priorities in order to turn around the service delivery backlog.

00:37:28Speaker, we observe that the department has put in place some mitigations that seek to improve the situation. Like someone once said, in actual fact, failing to plan is planning to fail, those quote. By so saying Speaker it is therefore encouraging to see that this department has not lost hope on continuing with the turnaround strategy that seeks to turn the situation of the city's revenue backlog.

00:37:55Of interest is that these mitigations are meant to implement, eh, to be implemented between February and July this year, and it will therefore give us ample time to conduct an oversight that seeks to monitor the progress. While we applaud these mitigations that Joburg Water and City Power are implementing by disconnecting non-payers and defaulters, this must not only target the black townships, that must also go to suburbs where the rich resides.claim

00:38:27Speaker, the issue

00:38:33currently in Ward 96 and part of it includes the 76% of water tankers have been disconnected this month,

00:38:40eh, sucking life from the water meters in residential areas, some operating car wash businesses. All this

00:38:52infrastructure must stop. We would like to urge this department to pilot the turnaround strategy to almost all departments and entities to get rid of rogue service providers and reserve the budget to internalise them.

00:39:08This drag of EPM must, eh, eh, ultimately stop. Must not, it has

00:39:18that must be used to employ these local communities. As the ANC we note the, Speaker, we

00:39:28Thank you, Councilor. MMC Loyiso Masuku, MMC Arnolds.

00:39:49Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um, MMC Mgcina has asked me that I just do a brief wrap up for MMC Mgcina.

00:40:01Madam Speaker, let me start off by saying the City

00:40:14With efforts being made to improve revenue collection and expenditure restructuring, whilst we are hopeful we areconfident our city is regressing, it is a, a, a shame that council where we are appointing staff that have failed this city and hand them crown, our crown jewels.

00:40:39Councilor Santana, I also believe that tabled in line with section 41 of the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, the city's capacity to deliver services has been severely affected by the delays. I therefore would recommend that council notes the second quarter performance

00:41:02for raising the issue of centralization as the MMC has alluded to that, in future we need to do things for the, for the better and that will improve reports that we are raising, eh, but also, eh, other committees there's quite a lot of improvement when it comes to submission of reports, especially financial statements such as the Section 71 reports, where there's progress because the, the analysis when we do all reports it poses a risk in terms of ensuring that oversight

00:41:44Councilor Maswazi, you are correct in terms of disconnections. Disconnections should happen across all regions, and as the Councilor Maswazi has alluded, where the water tankers has been discontinued and a, a, a, a typical of the criminal

00:42:04to a particular service provider it is worrying. So it's something that needs to be looked at because for the second quarter, for only the group to be named, so it was referred back

00:42:22Councilor Manganyi also raised it, item 40 and last week Councilor Manganyi also raised it in the oversight report. Madam Speaker, thank you very much, I didn't want to raise my hand before.

Dispute over speaking in home languages and lack of interpreters

00:42:42Councilor Lebatlang. Are we allowed to speak our mother tongue in this house? And if there is no translation or interpretation, we will not speak in our mother tongue, can someone interpret for us because we don't understand.

00:42:59So, Speaker, it's quite a concern when we raise it, when someone stands and speaks isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans,

00:43:09Venda. Are we not allowed to speak our mother tongue when we debate?

00:43:15Councilors,

00:43:18after MMC, Councilors, I think we touched on this before that you can speak any language, but we

00:43:28that will translate at this current moment in time. We touched on it in the previous council sitting that we had, that we do not stop any councilor from speaking in the language that they are

00:43:44If our colleagues want to speak Afrikaans, uh, they will do so, right?

00:43:53official languages that we have in the country. So I think I've clarified that matter, Councilor Lebatlang.

00:44:04the system running that will translate for other people who don't understand that language, then I don't think there's a need

00:44:13in isiZulu, you can't speak in Venda, we never said that in this house. MMC Arnolds.

00:44:24Thank you, Madam Speaker, there you've answered it, there aren't interpreters here for Venda or Tshivenda, and I think that, Madam Speaker, through you to Councilor Lebatlang, I do not think because there's no interpretation here that I'm able to

00:44:43And honest, I was sitting here on the edge that I can't interpret. Nobody has interpreted it for me, so how do I respond to the councilor? And I'm saying that how would you make it? How would I do it?

00:45:02I don't understand what the councilor said, and I said, look, I don't understand so I can't respond. And that's it. I can't, I only understand two languages, English and Afrikaans.

00:45:20And a little bit of Xhosa.

00:45:25Alright Councilors, I think we are all clear. You can speak in any language that you feel comfortable in, achieved bear in mind that at this current moment in time there is no one to translate at this current moment in time. And Councilors we started off quite well so please let's continue in this manner. Councilor can I see your hand, Councilor Machaba.

00:45:50No, thank you Speaker. Now Speaker, you are in the right track that you are in now, and this is a, uh, where the ideas must come from. What is left for you to do is just to, much as you have earlier said, Councilor Lebatlang has said it, provide us with, either you say to us wait for an answer in the form of a timeline, when are we going to get the services of the interpreter, because these matters are related. And we just get an answer to say when are these gadgets going to work so that interpretation can be done.

00:46:28Thank you, Chief.

00:46:30Thank you, Councilor, and you are raising a good point. Uh, in this regard, the Secretary of Council, to take you into confidence, we have started the process. We have indeed started that process so Legislature has played its role there.

00:46:44Ngiyabonga, Councilor, and we'll continue with the member in charge. Member in charge with me for today, Councilor Moepi.

00:46:56Councilor, you can come in.

00:47:00Thank you, I'm standing in for the member in charge. Let me greet the Mayor, Madam Speaker, Chief Whip, Leader of Executive Business, fellow councilors, good afternoon. Speaker,

00:47:12one way or another, we cannot use this excuse that there are no interpreters here, when truth has been raised, it must be answered with the truth. We as councilors, it's not our problem that the legislature didn't do what is necessary, we must be answered to the T. Because it can't be correct that, uh, we'll wait for two months, three months to come to have an answer. So one way or another there must be an interpreter so that our MMCs must respond, and we cannot wait for things that we don't know when are they going to be implemented, because answers must come today, we are sitting here today. Thank you very much. However, let me

00:47:50isiZuluNgiyacela sihloniphane bahlonishwa. Ngoba sizokhuluma ngento eyodwa isikhathi eside kabi, la sesizophuma la ngabo 12 ebusuku nathi.

00:47:57Throughout

00:48:00isiZulu[inaudible] sikhuluma ngento eyodwa, kade ekhuluma uSpeaker ngendaba yolimi ukuthi kwamanje siyakhuluma ulimi lwethu

00:48:07currently and that has always been done.

00:48:09isiZuluSo le esiyiqalile yokukhuluma ulimi lwethu sizoqhubeka ngayo. As much as khona manje makukhulunywa ngesiZulu khona abantu abangangizwa, khona i-weakness esikhona, le weakness ekhona kudalwe yikhona. The address ekhona manje la akukho ma-interpreters.

00:48:22Yes, we're

00:48:24isiZuluSo into esiyishoyo khona manje ukuthi

00:48:26we are free. Councilor Lebatlang asked a question ukuthi can I, am I allowed to speak in my African language?

00:48:33isiZuluKanti yebo,

00:48:34you are! Uvumelekile! Yes, you are allowed! If you want to ask in Afrikaans, you can do so. So, Councilor,

00:48:42isiZuluinto esiyishoyo khona manje, okudlula loko,

00:48:45currently

00:48:45isiZulusizama ukulungisa izinto mara umbuzo awubuzile izokwenzakala, sekuzoshiya lapho siqhubeke asifuni ukuhlala la ilanga lonke. Izolo

00:48:53we were cut off, we couldn't continue.

00:48:55isiZuluAsiqhubekeni ngokusebenzela abantu, ukusebenzela abantu yikho esilana ngakho. Sisebenzela abantu singabi busy si-debater ngento kudala nje ikhona. Angithi ukhulumile nge-way forward? Siyiprovaidile i-way forward,

00:49:07I hope you are covered, Councilor.

00:49:09isiZuluAsiyivaleni leyo

00:49:10conversation.

00:49:11isiZuluNgizothatha wena bese siyivala.

00:49:15Okay, thank you very much, Speaker. I think you are speaking to wrong things, wrong people now.

00:49:22isiZuluNingishiyani, ningishiyani? Ningishiyani?

00:49:26Councilors, I think we've clarified that, Councilor.

00:49:31isiZuluNingishiyani?

00:49:34Councilor, Speaker, I'm telling you,

00:49:39I, Speaker,

00:49:45Speaker, Councilor Seerane, let's allow him, let's allow him to speak.

00:49:52Speaker, I'm saying to you, we must find a mechanism on how to respond to questions when councilors ask in African language.

00:50:03SesothoO boleletse gore o batlang?

00:50:09isiZuluCouncilors, ngiyakhuza mani!

00:50:10SepediO ntšha mahlo a magolo,

00:50:11you are looking at me. Don't do those things to me!

00:50:14SepediTaba tša lena le šomiša ka moka ga tšona a di bereke go nna.

00:50:17Don't start with me! Fair and square, don't do those things to me, Councilor Seerane. If you want us to go outside I can go now!

00:50:24Councilor Seerane, no!

00:50:25We can go outside now! Don't do those things to me! I'm not speaking to you! Don't do those things to me!

00:50:30isiZuluYini nawe lomuntu, heh maan!

00:50:31Councilor Seerane, no!

00:50:32Don't do those things to me!

00:50:35Chief Whip for the EFF, Chief Whip for the EFF, Councilor Mogapi!

00:50:45Now!

00:50:47Chief Whip for the EFF!

00:50:51Councilor Radebe, I'm not going to note your hand right now, I think this is really getting out of order. I am not going to take your hand, I think we have responded to the question that was posed.

00:51:02Thank you Speaker, we can continue with the business of the day, thank you.

00:51:06Thank you, Chief Whip for the EFF.

Items 37 to 40: Oversight and performance reports

00:51:17Acting member in charge, Councilor Louw.

00:51:24Thank you, thank you Speaker. The member in charge for today, um, greeting the Executive Mayor, Dada Morero, MMCs, fellow councilors, viewers at home, guests in the gallery. Speaker, I rise to table item 37,

00:51:4838, 39 and 40 for council consideration, thank you.

00:52:04Thank you, member in charge, Councilor Moepi. Freedom Front Plus, Councilor Smit.

00:52:13Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to raise the following concern in relation to these items. Page 38.2 paragraph 2 of the report states KPI 14 under spends against set targets. Very little is said as to why this occurred. KPI 18 invoices were not paid within the 30 days required period.claim

00:54:50and demonstrates a commendable commitment

00:54:56The non-financial performance boasts a 95% achievement of predetermined objectives, with targets successfully achieved,

00:55:06stipulated guidelines and resolved 70% of complaints against municipal entities. Crucially, the backlog of unresolved cases saw an exceptional reduction of 45%, well surpassing the targeted 10% reduction. These numbers are not merely statistics, they represent real lives. Nevertheless, they remain a concern regarding underinvestment in essential infrastructure, you are like a whitewashed tomb which looks beautiful on the outside, but in the inside is full

00:55:34The standard operating procedure, SOP, of the unit which allows for a six-month period to finalize an OCOJ/23/0054 has still not been concluded. What is the delay? We stand here representing the voiceless. How long must our brother continue to suffer at the hands of the Complainant? You make them to run a beggar's mission. What are we saying to our residents today?

00:56:02As the ACDP caucus we will continue to raise these injustices, and we continue to, especially our brothers who have been hijacked in 2006. Upon what remains of the façade. Thank you.

00:56:16Thank you, Councilor. EFF.

00:56:19Rise to speak on item, Complaints Resolution Speed, the Ombudsman at the moment. Speaker, this report speaks about providing emotional support to councilors

00:56:38on the

00:56:42As Economic Freedom Fighters, we don't need emotional support. We need a White Paper

00:56:51that will table strategic plans on how councilors are going to be protected. We don't even need SALGA games, we need, with regards to the community participation through online platforms,

00:57:13the department should face the reality, people are not working. Please come up with a basic and affordable

00:57:30We approve

00:57:33and

00:57:37Thank you.

00:57:43Abongwe.

00:57:53Greetings to Chief Whip, Councilor Sthembiso Zungu, Chair of Chairs, Councilor Marema, Chair of Committee, Councilor [inaudible], all MMCs, the tallest Executive Mayor in the City of Johannesburg, Councilor Dada Morero, fellow councilors,

00:58:14report of the City of Johannesburg Legislature, item 38, Oversight Report of the OCOM on the 2024/2025 second quarter performance, item 39

00:58:30the Oversight Report of the OCOM on the 2024/2025

00:58:42Allow me to read this from the perspective of a revolutionary Trade Union movement. We wish to continuously affirm our support to you, the Executive Mayor, during this time of

00:58:55You must remain resolute in fighting against the service delivery

00:59:00will continue to benefit from your hard work and commitment. As part of the

00:59:06Because the Speaker has stepped down, and if we allow people to make comments after the Speaker has sat down, then we are going to have problems. Councilor Raphadu, I did the same for you yesterday. No, Councilor Raphadu, I'll remind you, I did the same for you yesterday, Councilor. I did the same for you yesterday, when you said to Councilor Mazibuko, when I did the same for you, and then you died with that.

00:59:35So, Councilor, please take a seat, so we continue with the business of the day. I did the same for you yesterday.

00:59:41Respect me, man!

00:59:42Please sit down.

00:59:43isiZuluNgicela uhlale phansi, Councilor. Ngikwenzile into efanayo izolo baze bangishaya ngapha ngoba ngikwenzele kanjalo. Ngiyacela sihloniphane.

00:59:51I respect my Speaker, it's fine, it's a new day. And we must do things different, it's a new day.

00:59:59isiZuluAyi ke, siyabonga.

01:00:00Raphadu.

01:00:01Thank you, Speaker.

01:00:03Member in Charge, Acting Member in Charge, Councillor Moepi.

01:00:08Thank you, Speaker. I'd like to thank Councillor Moepi, hold on. Councillor Khanyile, what are you rising on?

01:00:18I was rising, Councillor...

01:00:22No, thanks very much, Madam Speaker. I think that before the Member in Charge can close the debate, I just want to go to one of the things that was said by the Chair of Chairs in regard with the ward committees that are complaining with that R1,000. We feel that now ward councillors can make a use to balance with that R1,000 from what is left from that 40,000 for the councillors so that they go...

01:00:49Councillor Khanyile, you are not in the speaker's list. Councillor Khanyile, you are not in the speaker's list. No, Councillor Khanyile, you are not in the speaker's list.

01:00:57isiZuluHawu ngeke, Khansela Khanyile, wangiphoxa bo! Hawu ngeke!

01:01:03isiZuluHhayi, wangiphoxa ngempela. Hha-ah.

01:01:08isiZuluHha-ah.

01:01:10isiZuluWena! Wena Khansela Raphadu, wena!

01:01:16Acting Member in Charge, Councillor Moepi.

01:01:21Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. I'd like to thank the researchers, the coordinator and Section 79 Committee, as well as before I sit down, Speaker, I'd like to thank the MMC, Kenny Kunene, for responding promptly yesterday with the flooded house in Ward 93. As well as I'd like to thank the Executive Mayor,claim

01:01:52and MMC Mabaso for delivering the title deeds for the greater Ivory Park residents. As I sit down, Speaker, I'd like Council to note and approve the report. Thank you.claim

01:02:14Speaker, Speaker, one more thing, Speaker, sorry for me. I'd like to wish our Chair, Chris Sobey, a speedy recovery. Thank you.

01:02:27Thank you, Acting Member in Charge. Councillors, the recommendations are on pages 37.9 and 38.10. Recommendation for Item 39 and Item 40, the recommendations are on page 39.3 and 40.6. Are the items agreed to? Thank you, Councillors.

Items 41 to 44: Oversight visit reports

01:02:53Chairperson, we proceed with Item 41 and that's the Joint Oversight Visit by the Section 79 Oversight Committee on Development Planning and Transport to Orange Farm Public Transport Facility on the 8th of November 2024. Also moving to Item 42, which is the Joint Oversight Visit by the Section 79 Oversight Committee on Development Planning and Transport to Orange Farm Storm Water Management on the 8th of November,

01:03:232024. Also Item 43 is also a Joint Oversight Visit by the Section 79 Oversight Committee on Governance, Finance and Municipal Public Accounts and Transport to Lilian Ngoyi Street, which was formerly called Bree Street, on the 22nd of November 2024. And lastly, Item 44, which is an Oversight Visit Report of the Section 79 Finance Committee to Randburg Revenue Centre on the 24th of January 2025.

01:04:01Thank you, Secretary to Council. The different Whips from all the different political parties agreed that there will be no speakers. I'll just read the recommendations. The recommendations are on pages 41.7, 42.5 to 42.6, 43.7, 44.8. Are the items agreed to? Thank you, Councillors.

Item 45: Supply Chain Management acquisition status report

01:04:31Then we move to Item 45, which is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Acquisition Status Report reflecting bids considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period of 1st October 2024 to the 31st December 2024.

01:04:48The first speaker for this item is from the DA, Councillor Pietersen.

01:04:54Thank you, Speaker. My time starts now, I take it. I stand before you for Item number 45, being the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Acquisition Status Report reflecting bids considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period 1st of October 2024 to 31st of December 2024, Speaker. I start off to say that dark clouds have descended over Johannesburg.

01:05:25That is a metaphor, not a weather report.

01:05:31Some of us may remember the movie Groundhog Day, and coincidentally my Whip from the committee used the same analogy. I'd just like to go a little bit deeper into it. This is a film from 1993 starring Bill Murray. It was quite a funny film, some of you may remember it. And he was playing the character Phil Connors, who is a cynical weatherman trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day, February the 2nd, over and over again,claim

01:06:02in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Initially frustrated, Phil uses the loop for personal gain, but he eventually grows tired of its emptiness. Over time, he learns to improve himself and help others and embrace kindness and humility. His transformation ultimately breaks the cycle. This item feels like Groundhog Day,claim

01:06:30because at least one of the items is appearing here again, and again it was not served to the Finance Committee before appearing here. So once again, I must raise my concerns in the Chamber as opposed to in the Committee. In most of the committees, Councillors from all sides of this Chamber have expressed their concern for Johannesburg and need for urgent measures to be implemented to arrest the decay. I hope one day this Chamber will put our residents and the city,claim

01:07:00first and use our vote wisely. On Annexure A of tabled Item number 45, there is a table indicating what appears to be a duplication of the stationery supply item that was noted on the 30th of January in this Chamber, 2025. The contract number is the same, the suppliers are the same, so is the description and the amount, being R45 million. This is R45 million for the supply, delivery and offloading of stationery stock items,claim

01:07:31to the city for a period of three years on an as and when basis.claim

01:07:42A duplication of this is what we should expect every quarter, and then this implies that Core, and not the city, is spending in the region of R180 million per year on stationery. To put that into perspective, this is R570,000 a day on paper, pens, pencils and paper clips. Speaker, through you, if the MMC knows what we are doing with all the stationery, please let the Council know in your response.claim

01:08:11I assume that we are buying paper, to put these numbers into perspective. A box of paper from Makro costs R389. R570,000 a day works out to 1,464 boxes of paper every day, each containing five reams, each ream 500 sheets of paper. This works out to 3,660,000 sheets of paper every day. So on one hand, we are budgeting to use 80 million sheets,claim

01:08:41of paper per month, no exaggeration, and on the other hand, we are spending well over a billion rand on Azure, SAP and support to go paperless. Please help me understand what all this paper is being used for. Section 55 of the Systems Act indicates that as Head of Administration, the Municipal Manager of a municipality is subject to the policy direction of the Municipal Council, and is responsible and accountable for the formation and development,

01:09:11of an economical, effective, efficient and accountable administration that is equipped for the implementation of the IDP, Municipal Performance System, and respond to the needs of local communities. So all of us, from the Legislature, the Executive and officials are responsible and accountable. The date that the Executive Adjudication Committee approved this contract was 16 months after the closing date. I take this as further confirmation that this is a contract that is being automatically renewed each quarter, as it is a three-year contract.

01:09:50Given that we have seen this in January and again today, one can extrapolate that the 36 bidders have effectively scored a lucrative deal worth R540 million to deliver and offload stationery stock items for three years on an as and when required basis. Please help us understand, if there's not much as and when, for example, during December, are we still paying that 45 mil? Is this the case, now more than ever, I am recommending to the Mayor,

01:10:20and the City Manager to make the Bid Specification documents available to Council to interrogate before the ratepayer money is spent on as and when. I conclude. In reflecting on the recurring challenges within the city's Supply Chain Management, it is impossible to ignore the parallels to Groundhog Day. The persistent appearance of certain items like the stationery supply contract raises serious concerns about questionable spending practices, such as the allocation of that R180 million,

01:10:50annually for stationery, while simultaneously investing heavily in paperless systems like Azure and SAP. These inefficiencies underscore the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the tender process. It is imperative that the administration takes decisive action to revise the Supply Chain Management Policy. Addressing these shortcomings to ensure ratepayer funds are used effectively, strengthening oversight mechanisms is crucial to fostering fiscal responsibility and delivering better outcomes,

01:11:20for the residents of Johannesburg. Unfortunately, given the lack of change since I last raised my concern in January, the Democratic Alliance calls on the voter to give the City of Johannesburg any hope. The Democratic Alliance notes the report with concern. Thank you.

01:11:39Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

01:11:46Good morning again, Madam Speaker. I'm rising on Item 45, the Acquisition Report for Supply Chain Management. And I want to start this morning with an actual story that is not a story, it's a fact. Last year this time, when the Freedom Front was campaigning in Region B, Fairland, Northcliff area, it was about peak time traffic on a weekday afternoon,claim

01:12:15when a car stopped at our point, a car which is probably valued much more than my residential property is valued. And a very nice man, a black man, walked out of the car and he started to chat to us. And we had a long chat and he said he will forever put his votes to the ANC because, he said, the City of Johannesburg made me stinking rich. And he was an attorney. He's probably one of the attorneys that is,claim

01:12:46part of the R400 million debt collection panel. Madam Speaker, I rise on this Acquisition Supply Chain Management in the City of Johannesburg. It is probably one of the darkest departments. We don't know what is going on there. But what is very strange here, in this report, it seems to me that Core only awarded four tenders in quarter two. And if you look at the KPIs of Group Finance,claim

01:13:14the average number of days from advertising to awarding a tender on an 80/20 procurement process is 641 days. That is roughly two years. That's on an 80/20 procurement process. I assume those processes here are the 90/10 process, so they should even take longer. The target is 90 days and we're doing those awards here in 641 days.claim

01:13:46So I don't know how we're going to get to this. And then you see on this report the BBBEE levels. Now remember, Councillors, this first tender that was awarded was for the provision of supply, delivery and offloading of stationery stock items. The bidders were, and I'm going to read the name of the bidders, Tjhoko Cleaning Services, they bid for,

01:14:17stationery. Joman Construction and Projects, they bid for stationery. Khungumusu Training and Projects, they bid for stationery. Maduma Civil Works, they also bid for stationery. Makulu Library Furniture Manufacturers, they also bid for the stationery award. Rems Mams Construction and Projects, they also want to bid for the stationery. And I can carry on,

01:14:47Thumamania Hygiene Food and Security Solutions, they also want to supply stationery. And then we can carry on, Thwala Son... There's 10 seconds remaining. ... Construction and Projects, they also bid for stationery. Madam Speaker, I want to stand up in Council and say our residents are not wanting BEE appointments. They do not want tenderpreneurs using and misusing the city's money. Our residents want efficient service at an efficient and a,

01:15:19realistic price. And there's a song in English that says, "It is time to say goodbye." Madam Speaker, it is time to say goodbye to BEE and BBBEE and tenderpreneurs, and get the work done efficiently. Thank you very much.

01:15:42Thank you, Councillor Boer. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

01:15:52isiZuluNgibonge Speaker. Bengizoqhubeka ngesikaMageba kodwa ngithi ake ngize nganeno futhi, bazongizwa abanye.

01:16:04All protocol observed. Madam Speaker, I rise on Item 45. Madam Speaker, the city needs to move away from storing items in various stores and move towards the direct supply of stationery to entities through the service providers. Many issues relating to dead stock and supply chain mismanagement were picked up by the Section 79 Finance Committee during our oversight visit to Smit and Main Reef stores. Paper stock had to be thrown into,claim

01:16:33a cage outside to make way for obsolete printer cartridges that are sitting inside the main building at Smit Street. This is just one example of poor mismanagement and non-adherence to asset disposal policy. The issue of the Red Fleet has been ongoing for a while now, with the GCSS having dropped the ball unceremoniously and rendering the city helpless to disasters such as fire and flooding. We welcome the long-awaited procurement of the specialized Red Fleet,

01:17:03as this will assist the city to respond timeously to disasters and ultimately save lives of hundreds, if not thousands. In as far as the appointment of the service provider for short-term motor and non-motor insurance is concerned, we hope and pray that we won't hear any stories about how the service provider was not paid, or how the contract had expired before someone could pick up the contract end date, thus creating a delay in the appointment of new service provider. I hope that we will manage,

01:17:33our risk better and that we will not find ourselves as a city in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Ndolomba, Speaker.

01:17:45Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. EFF, Councillor Nethamba.

01:17:54Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to the Caucus Leader of the EFF in his absentia, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku. Greetings to the Chief Whip of the EFF, Thabiso Mogapi. Not forgetting the 29 battalion of the EFF. Greetings to the people in the gallery, the community watching us at home.

01:18:24The EFF, since its formation, made it clear even in our founding manifesto that we are for abolishment of the tendering system. Cardinal Pillar number three speaks on building the state and government capacity, which will lead to the abolishment of tenders. We believe that the tendering system does not benefit the masses, but the few entrepreneurs that milk the city dry of its limited resources through,claim

01:18:53inflated prices they charge. An example is the over 30 companies that have been appointed for stationery, and the value of the tender is 45 million, that the city would have saved a large amount of it and still have the required stationery. The appointment of a service provider to supply and deliver specialized fire and rescue vehicles for the city could have created job opportunities for the,

01:19:24citizens, instead of being given to a company that the city does not verify if the work has been done to acceptable standard. This is one example of service that must be in-house service. The departments only concern themselves with just an invoice. Who then looks into the delivery of the product or service and verification of the work done? Once the tender is awarded,

01:19:54life goes on. It is for this reason that we have the city full of potholes, traffic lights that are not working, and etc., because the tendering system is just a get-rich-quick scheme in the name of the service delivery for our people. We hope our people vote for the party that will change this phenomenon and create jobs for everyone. Johannesburg, please vote for EFF. Thank you.

01:20:30Thank you, Councillor. ANC, Councillor Nofemela.

01:20:38Thank you, Speaker, and greetings to you. Greetings to the Executive Mayor, the Whip of Council, the ANC Caucus, fellow Councillors, greetings once more to the members in the gallery and the 6 million plus residents of the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 45. Speaker, as the ANC, we have looked into the report,

01:21:08and analyzed it closely, and we are satisfied that nothing untoward that can be identified or picked up. So it is very clear that the Evaluation Committee and the respective Adjudication Committee are executing their task according to the relevant prescripts governing the bidding processes. Speaker, as the ANC, we note the report. Thank you.

01:21:35Thank you, Councillor. MMC Arnolds.

01:21:41Thank you once again, Madam Speaker, and greetings to everybody in the House and those in the gallery. Madam Speaker,

01:22:00this report is in compliance with the MFMA and Supply Chain Management Regulations, and this report ensures that Council continued oversight of the city's procurement process. I'm not going to name the Councillors that spoke, but I also want to say that we don't only buy paper and we don't only buy pens, we also do buy cartridges,claim

01:22:29and anything that's stationery. It's also a three-year contract with a maximum value of 45 million. And Councillor Boer, that is why we are going digital, to fast-track procurement. Even though SCM is the custodian of procurement, it is actually the departments and the entities that make up the Bid Committees.claim

01:23:00We cannot dictate who applies. We cannot dictate... Oh. We cannot dictate who applies for the tenders. That is illegal. Whether the names are cleaning services, whether the names are construction services, we can't dictate to them. Madam Speaker, the report outlines,claim

01:23:30bids approved between October and December 2024 by the Central and Executive Adjudication Committees. All awards were made in line with the relevant legislation and procurement frames with budget approvals in place. The report affirms the city's commitment to fair, transparent and cost-effective procurement. I commend the Group Finance and Supply Chain teams for their professionalism.

01:24:00I recommend that Council notes the report and supports the steps taken to ensure transparency and good governance. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:24:14Thank you, MMC Arnolds. The recommendations are on page 45.3. Is the item agreed to? Thank you, Councillors.

Item 46: EAC deviation and ratification reports

01:24:29We now move to Item 46, and that's the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management EAC Deviation and Ratification Reports that were considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period October 2024 to December 2024.

01:24:46The first speaker is Councillor Pietersen from the DA.

01:24:51Thank you, Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the highlights from our recent deviations, ratifications, contract amendments and procurement reports for the period 1st of October to 31st of December 2024. While the Accounting Officer has approved these items, it is important to note that they have not yet been tabled before the Finance Committee, as usual. Without this crucial review, we cannot truly ascertain if our ratepayers are receiving genuine value or if our services,claim

01:25:21align with the community needs. There is a risk that we are being led without full oversight. Consider this specific deviation. We have requested an exception to standard procurement to engage SAP Systems for SAP RISE services at a project value of R268,657,700. This initiative comes on top of the,claim

01:25:50additional 24-month contract awarded to Braintree IT Solutions, which we discussed in our extraordinary Council meeting on the 13th of March 2025. To put this into a broader perspective, Braintree IT Solutions, R935 million over five years. SAP SA for SAP RISE, 269 million. Microsoft for Azure, 750 million. And I'm sure there are other contracts, but those are just ones that came off the top of my head that we've passed recently.claim

01:26:21These commitments total nearly R2 billion. When distributed, this amounts to about R85,000 per employee across 25,000 licenses, I assume, because we're not given those kinds of details, so we need to do a lot of thumb-sucking here. It is essential that, sorry, in reference to a response about transparency, it is essential that we know exactly how many licenses are deployed,claim

01:26:51their locations throughout the city, and the login rates per department. This is the only way that we as the Legislature can exercise effective oversight. This information is key to determining whether our spending is delivering the promised services, and if we are indeed getting value for money. And I now hear yesterday in this House that R50 million was paid for JPC staff's computer training.claim

01:27:21So we can add that to the IT spend. I think even Google's eyes would weep at the amount we spend on IT. Costs on this level do not make sense, even in a large organization such as the City of Johannesburg. These costs reveal an administration that claims to attain good governance, financial sustainability, and sustainable service delivery. These numbers point to mismanagement, inefficiency, and ineffective service provision. I appeal to the Executive and to all my colleagues,claim

01:27:51let us secure the necessary transparency and accountability. We must review these details thoroughly, especially before considering any proposals to increase residents' rates and taxes by 36%, as we did in the last budget. Our collective oversight is meant to ensure that taxpayer money is used efficiently. And before the MMC comes back and responds that, "Oh no, we only raised 12% here and 2% there," and whatnot, on average, with all of the,claim

01:28:21administrative costs, it does come to 36%. That is how much residents are paying today as opposed to the previous year. So let's deal with facts and not hide it under red herrings. Our collective oversight is meant to ensure the taxpayers' money is used efficiently, and more importantly, that every Johannesburg citizen receives the full benefit of our investments. The Democratic Alliance notes this report. Thank you.claim

01:28:59Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

01:29:08isiZuluNgibonge, Mvelase.

01:29:11All protocol observed. I rise to speak on Item 46, Somlomo. Normally I would be up in arms about this report. However, because this report speaks to the expedition of mSCOA, which we as ActionSA have been very vocal about, ActionSA welcomes the procurement of SAP RISE. The report also prioritizes the upskilling of support staff and Councillors through the appointment of Wits School of Governance.

01:29:42We welcome that. The Transport Department will also benefit from the expertise of CSIR through the provision of technical support services. This deviation echoes ActionSA's policy on the professionalization of public service. We cannot continue to appoint clueless service...

01:30:00providers who leave the city in all sorts of financial problems and Lilian Ngoyi is a perfect example. ActionSA notes and appoints this and approves this report. Baie dankie.

01:30:15Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

01:30:22Greetings to the Speaker, to the EFF MMCs, to MMCs, to the EFF Chief Whip and all councillors. I rise on item 46, Group Strategic Supply Chain Management EAC, deviation and ratification reports that were considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period October 2024 to December 2024. The EFF noted that the Finance and Group Legal and Contracts Departments were consulted when drafting this report.claim

01:30:51The deviations and ratification reports approved by the Accounting Officer had budget provisions, and also no deviation was approved without the approved budget provision. The EFF notes the report. Thank you.

01:31:07Thank you, Councillor. ANC, Councillor Nofemela.

01:31:24Councillor Nhlapo, please switch off your mic.

01:31:29Thank you once more, Speaker, and greetings to you, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Whip of Council, ANC caucus and fellow councillors. Speaker, I rise to speak on item 46. Speaker, Regulation 36(1)(a) allows the Accounting Officer to deviate from the normal procurement processes, which are in an emergency, if goods or services are available from a single supplier,

01:32:01if goods acquired are special works of art, if it's for animals for zoo, or in any other way wherein it's impossible to follow official procurement processes. So, it is worth noting that all the deviations which were done had the budget provisions under the respective votes. The procurement processes are fragile by nature, so it's necessary for the department to see to it that the law and relevant regulations are followed to avoid adverse

01:32:32findings by the Auditor-General, like irregular expenditure. Speaker, as the ANC, we note the report.

01:32:45Thank you, Councillor Nofemela. MMC Arnolds.

01:32:51Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I think in his opening remarks, the Chair of Chairs was saying how happy he is about the Section 71 reports that are now seemingly flowing and that it looks like we are getting to a point of complying with Section 71.

01:33:20But I also know that the MFMA states that it comes straight to Council, but we have spoken to Section 79 on how we will deal with it. I had a conversation with the Oh, she's not around with the chairperson of the Section 79 and she was in full agreement. Madam Speaker, getting back to the report, Regulation 36 allows deviations from standard procurement processes

01:33:49in exceptional circumstances such as emergency, single supplier availability, or technical issues of a minor nature. All approvals were compliant with the SCM policy and the budget availability. The deviations will be included in the notes in the city's annual financial statements in line with Regulation 36(2). This report will also be made public in accordance with Section 21A

01:34:20of the Municipal Systems Act. We recommend that the Council notes the content of the deviation and ratification report and its annexures, that the approved deviations be formally recorded in the annual financial statements as required. These deviations reflect necessary exceptions to ensure continuity of service delivery and operational efficiency while remaining

01:34:50accountable to Council and the public. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:34:58Thank you, MMC Arnolds. The recommendation are on page 46.3. Is the item agreed to? Thank you, councillors.

Item 47: Supply Chain Management operational status report

01:35:11Item 47 is a Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Status Report for the period of 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024.

01:35:23Councillor Pietersen from the DA.

01:35:27Thank you, Chair. Item 47, Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Status Report, 1 October to 31 December. In reviewing our purchasing and inventory data for this period, we see a mixed picture demands our urgent attention. In the second quarter alone, direct purchases within our core operations, core operations, not the whole city, reached an astonishing R1 billion and something, pushing the year-to-date total to over R2 billion, almost R2.2 billion.claim

01:35:59Equally significant, our stock purchases covering replenishable items totalled R10 million for the quarter and R13.3 million for year-to-date. Our stores and inventory management figures as at 31 December indicate a held stock value of R111,526,590.79, with 156,299 items issued, worth just over R13 million,claim

01:36:30and 105,000 items received, valued at R10 million, all while no stock write-offs occurred during this quarter. That in itself is troubling. If our stock management supply chain management is in such order, why are we not writing off stock as and when? However, these impressive figures go on one hand mask concerning trends. Take, for instance, the situation at Smit Street.claim

01:36:58It is inexplicable that the city continues to store and issue enormous quantities of ink cartridges, 76,000 items valued at R8 million, averaging roughly R100 per item. The details of these issuances remain opaque, which prevents us from confirming if these high-value items are being properly allocated to their rightful departments. In stark contrast, Main Street, a facility serving basic cleaning supplies like toilet rolls and detergents, issued only 18,000 itemsclaim

01:37:28in the same period. This imbalance, where nearly four times more stationery items are handled compared to essential cleaning materials, raises serious governance questions. It is imperative that we secure transparency and accountability in our procurement and distribution processes. After all, we're paying a fortune for the SAP system. It should be able to give us a detailed report. That's why we pay the big bucks for SAP. We must insist on thorough reports from the Group Audit Committee,claim

01:37:59reassuring us that all aspects of these transactions are subject to rigorous oversight. Rigorous oversight, not the bare minimums of what the MFMA allows. We're here to do a job, not just to meet the absolute bare minimum of MFMA and tick a box. Our commitment must be to protect the interests of our ratepayers and citizens, ensuring that every rand spent is justified and aligned with our long-term service delivery goals. Let us call for an immediate review of our current supply chain practices and the SCM policy,claim

01:38:30not only to address these discrepancies, but to also foster efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and robust public accountability. This conclusion emphasises the impressive scale of our procurement activities, while also casting a critical eye on emerging discrepancies and the need for enhanced oversight. It ties the numerical data with trends observed in our facilities, inviting decisive action to safeguard communities' interests.claim

01:39:00Cancelled bids for the period 1 October to 31 December. One of the bids cancelled during the fourth quarter was for the provision of pesticides and application equipment for the Health Department. The bid was declared non-responsive, as none of the submissions met the required criteria. Unfortunately, this cancellation has significant implications for service delivery. As per the Constitution, it is our responsibility to promote a safe and healthy environment. Without this contract, the Environmental Health Unit cannot effectively provideclaim

01:39:30pest control services, which poses a risk to public health. The lack of vector control services could result in an increase in complaints and compromise the well-being of our residents. Adding to this concern, there is currently an ongoing mango fly infestation in Pretoria North, which presents a serious threat to Johannesburg. Mango flies are known to cause serious cutaneous myiasis, a condition where their larvae burrow into the skin of humans and animals, leading to painful infections.claim

01:40:00Without adequate pest control measures, this infestation could spread to Johannesburg, endangering both public health and the safety of our pets. We must address these challenges to ensure sustainable and efficient service delivery that meets and needs our communities. In Annexure E of this item, contracts due to expire within the period of 12 months, the concern is the list as per Annexure E indicates that contracts will be expiring in 12 months.claim

01:40:30This is actually a very positive thing. The purpose of the reminder is to inform the departments to commence with the bidding process for renewal of contracts timeously. There are 18 contracts and established panels of service providers that are due to expire in the next 12 months. That is the period between 1 January to December 2025. So, I do want to use this opportunity to implore the heads of departments to be sensitised to the availability of this information and to check their mailclaim

01:41:00boxes to eliminate deviations from the normal procurement process and thus avoid those pesky Section 36s. I once again also ask councillors in this house to pay attention to Annexure E and put the respective items onto your committee agendas and thereby reduce the number of Section 36s, which the Auditor-General will appreciate. The Democratic Alliance notes the report. Thank you.claim

01:41:28Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

01:41:37isiZuluNgibonge, Mvelase.

01:41:40Greetings to all councillors, all protocol observed. Speaker, I won't labour much on the stock values as Councillor Niren has already, you know, gone on about that. And I've already spoken to this item and made my recommendations in item 45. Of great concern is the issue of GT Rank, which, much like the Metro Centre, faces the risk of becoming a white elephant

01:42:11if the city does not appoint a credible and reputable service provider to manage and oversee its administrative functions. If JPC was not as hopeless as it is, I would have asked why the GT project has not been handed over to JPC, but the less said about JPC, the better. ActionSA would like to know what is the turnaround strategy for JPC

01:42:34Councillor Nkonyeni, please hold on. Councillor De Lange.

01:42:40Madam Speaker, on a point of order, just in context, I thought we were not allowed to refer to animals in this chamber. So, I don't know how to handle that specific one, Madam Speaker.

01:42:54You can't refer to any fellow councillor as anything apart from being a human being. Any councillor in this house will not be referred to et cetera, animals and so forth. Councillor De Lange, you're being naughty. Councillor Nkonyeni, you can continue.

01:43:20isiZuluNgibonge, Speaker. Yazi uyasimoshela isikhathi, bo.

01:43:24Speaker, if JPC was not as hopeless as it is, I would have asked why the GT project has not been handed over to JPC, but the less said about JPC, the better. ActionSA would like to know what is the turnaround strategy for JPC, and why is the city ignoring the fact that JPC is a liability. The mere fact that JPC cannot be trusted with the management of GT speaks for itself.

01:43:51As we approach the end of quarter three, we hope that all bids and pending adjudications and finalisation have since been closed for the betterment and sake of service delivery. As ActionSA, we call for the city to be more efficient and to act timeously in ensuring that residents do not suffer while the city drags its feet. And we plead with residents of this once great city to make the right choice at the polls come 2026. Only Action can fix Johannesburg.

01:44:21SesothoKe a leboga.

01:44:27Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

01:44:33Greetings, Speaker, once more. I rise on item 47. The report is compiled in compliance, and we also note that all departments were consulted. We also note that it will also be communicated on the council website in terms of the Regulation 6(4) of the Supply Chain Management Regulations issued in terms of the MFMA. The EFF notes the report.

01:44:59isiZuluSiyabonga, Councillor Nhlapo.

01:45:01ANC, Councillor Nofemela.

01:45:06Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I rise to speak on item 47. Speaker, the total value of all purchases ordered for the second quarter was approximately 1 billion and shows 2.1 billion year-to-date. So, it goes without saying that financial management is key in order to keep the city's operations ongoing. As the ANC, we believe that without the viable financial resources,claim

01:45:37the city's service delivery will be negatively impacted, thus affecting the living conditions of the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Therefore, we call on all the authorities and stakeholders to encourage the residents of the city to pay their municipal accounts. Speaker, as the ANC, we note the report. I thank you.

01:46:02Thank you, Councillor Nofemela. MMC Arnolds.

01:46:09Thank you, Speaker. Thank you so much, Councillor Nofemela, for also asking residents and business and everybody to pay their municipal accounts. It will make things easier for the city. It's only blue. As councillors, we should know that stock write-offs are based on accounting principles

01:46:40and expiry dates. Madam Speaker, I would like to present the GSSCM Operational Status Report for the period 1 October to 31 December 2024. This report provides statistical and operational insight into procurement activities across key departmentsclaim

01:47:10and reaffirms our commitment to good governance, financial sustainability, and efficient service delivery. All procurement processes complied with the MFMA, the SCM regulation, Preferential Procurement Regulations, and the city's own SCM policy. In line with Regulation 6(4), which requires transparency

01:47:40in supply chain decisions, the report will be published on the city's website for public access. I recommend that Council notes the contents of the report and its annexures, A to F, and that the group GSSCM ensures the report is made publicly available. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:48:06Thank you, MMC Arnolds. The recommendations are on page 47.4. Is the item agreed to? Thank you, councillors.

Item 48: MFMA In-Year Financial Report to 31 October 2024

01:48:19We proceed now with item 48, and that is the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31 October 2024.

01:48:31I'll start with Councillor Masuku from ActionSA.

01:48:39Thank you, Speaker. ActionSA note the report.

01:48:48Thank you, Councillor Masuku. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

01:48:59Thank you, Speaker. The EFF notes the report.

01:49:07isiZuluSiyabonga, Councillor Nhlapo.

01:49:11ANC, Councillor Maswazi.

01:49:15Yeah, thank you, Speaker. I'm under pressure that I must also note this report. But let me just say that we are happy and encouraged as the ANC that at least these Section 71 reports are now being submitted. This is important because this complies with Section 71 of the Municipal Finance Management Act of 2003. And we are saying that we are happy that this will be consistent and we'll keep on getting them. Thank you.

01:49:48Thank you, Councillor Maswazi, and welcome to the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg. I would like to call MMC Arnolds.

01:50:13Good afternoon to the Executive Mayor. Good afternoon, Speaker, once again. Madam Speaker, today we present four Section 71 reports covering October 2024 to January 2025. This brings us up to date, with the February 2025 report currently moving through the committee process. I'm sure Councillor Santana would be pleased with this progress.claim

01:50:46Madam Speaker, year-to-date revenue was 5% above budget, 1.4 billion, largely due to early receipt of major grants such as the USDG, Informal Settlements Upgrade, and Equitable Share. These are paid in tranches per the DoRA schedule, but budgeted evenly over the year. Operating expenditure was under budget by less than 1%,claim

01:51:16398 million, resulting in an actual operating deficit of 104 million against a budgeted deficit of 1.8 billion. Of the 7.4 billion approved capital budget, 1.3 billion, 17%, has been spent to date. Cash and investment, cash balances declined from 2.6 billion to 2.3 billion, a drop ofclaim

01:51:48335 million. Liquidity, Standard Bank short-term facility was repaid in October 2024 to manage liquidity. The billing collection, 5.8 billion was billed in September, with 5.3 billion collected in October, 91.5% collection rate.claim

01:52:18The year-to-date collections are 88%, which is below target and poses a cash flow risk. Enhancing collection efforts are therefore critical. Madam Speaker, I would ask this house to note the report. I thank you.claim

01:52:39Thank you, MMC Arnolds. Does Council note this report? Thank you, councillors.

Item 49: MFMA In-Year Financial Report to 30 November 2024

01:52:48We're now on item 49, and that's another City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 30 November 2024.

01:52:59ActionSA, Councillor Masuku.

01:53:03Thank you, Madam Speaker. ActionSA note the report.

01:53:10Thank you, Councillor Masuku. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

01:53:22Greetings to the Speaker once more and the house. I rise on item 49, just a reminder. The EFF still stresses on this, building state and government capacity, which will lead to the abolishment of tenders. We note the report.

01:53:42Thank you, Councillor Nhlapo. ANC, Councillor Maswazi.

01:53:47Greetings again, Speaker. The ANC would like to note the report. Thank you.

01:53:54Thank you, Councillor Maswazi. MMC Arnolds.

01:54:03Madam Speaker, I'm being threatened. I would ask that this house notes the report. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:54:18Oh, thank you, MMC Arnolds. Does Council or the house note this report? Thank you, councillors.

Item 50: MFMA In-Year Financial Report to 31 December 2024

01:54:28Item 50 is the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31 December 2024.

01:54:36DA, Councillor Santana.

01:54:40Thank you, Speaker. I rise to speak on item 50, the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31 December 2024. You see, Madam Speaker, this is when we put the cart before the horse. We've just done the quarterly reports, and now we're doing the MFMA reports. It should have been the MFMA reports, then the quarterly reports, and then our adjustment budget, not opposite. We confuse our residents, and we actually show that we don't know what we're doing as Council,

01:55:10because we should have had all these reports prior to the adjustment budget. And hence why I keep on complaining and asking you to fulfil your role as the Speaker of Council and ensure we get our reports on time. I thank you. We note the report.

01:55:30Thank you, Councillor Santana. ActionSA, Councillor Masuku.

01:55:36Madam Speaker, ActionSA note the report.

01:55:46Thank you, Councillor Masuku. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

01:55:50Thank you, Speaker. The EFF notes the report.

01:55:56Hey, we are just noting today. ANC, Councillor Maswazi.

01:56:03Thank you, Speaker. The ANC notes the report. Thank you.

01:56:11Thank you, Councillor Maswazi. MMC Arnolds.

01:56:17Madam Speaker, I don't know why Councillor Santana tries to provoke me all the time. I bought a blue pen, I bought a blue outfit, I bought a blue glass. The other councillor has just taken it to see what it looks like. I even bought this in blue. I even have my diary in blue. I thought I would be making it all blue today.

01:56:47Unfortunately, I'm not popular. Speaker, the city's finances remain stable. Revenue performance continues to exceed expectations, while expenditure remains within acceptable limits. This has resulted in a positive operating position. Cash flow remains steady, with key financial obligations met.

01:57:11AfrikaansAl het ons nie die geld nie, maar ons doen sekere goed wat ons moet doen.

01:57:15Collection rates are strong overall, supported by active disconnection campaigns. Please, ward councillors, don't stop us when we come to disconnect. Please. And also speak to the residents so that they don't offer our people, I don't know whether you can call it cool drink or coffee or what, but please, let's not do that. Let them do what they have to do.

01:57:44The city received major grants during the period, although the PTNG was reduced due to underperformance. System upgrades during December, which some of the councillors spoke about, impacted some financial reporting, but these issues are being addressed. In conclusion, the city's financial position is sound. We are not that dead yet. I recommend that Council notes this report and continues to support effortsclaim

01:58:15to strengthen collection, accelerate capital delivery, and uphold fiscal discipline. Together, we would be stronger. I thank you.

01:58:27Thank you, MMC Arnolds. Does the house note this report? Thank you, councillors.

Item 51: MFMA In-Year Financial Report to 31 January 2025

01:58:35Item 51 is the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31 January 2025.

01:58:45DA, Councillor Santana.

01:58:49Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I rise to speak on item 51, the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31 January. So, Madam Speaker, I could also highlight through you to the MMC that, factually, we could have had the February report here today, too, but we don't. So, it's an opportunity missed yet again. But be that as it may, let's go through what the issues are. We note the capital expenditure of 2.2 billion at the end of January,claim

01:59:20representing 29% of the expenditure of the 7.4 billion. Further analysis of that, we note that core has only spent 13% and the entities are 40%. So, we need to just find out why core is lagging behind. We also note the cash and cash equivalents decreased by 111 million. We note the conditional grant performance at 66%. Of concern again is our sweeping accounts,claim

01:59:50and I'm going to highlight those in the negative. City Power at 15.6 billion, JDA at 1.26 billion, JOSHCO at 1.6 billion, Metrobusclaim

02:00:00at 50 581 million, sorry. Propcom portfolio at 173 million, roads at 40.6 billion, MTC at 960.8 million. And then of concern, which I raised last time, is the fact of our declining collection rate. The rate for January was down to 80.9%. Now we do know, obviously, there were some issues with regards to the update, SAP update over December, which obviously affected this drastically.claim

02:00:28Um, but it's still below our budgeted collection rate of 87 point sorry, yeah, 87.7% and National Treasury's at 95%. However, again, we brought this prior to the adjustment budget. You've based the adjustment budget at 88.6%. So we do not see you meeting your requirements and collecting revenue to sustain what needs to be sustained. And so much so that you even have a noteclaim

02:00:57in your financials stating that the city's inability to meet the budgeted collection will result in the risk of adequate cash to fund operation commitments. And we also note the fact that our debtors age analysis has now shot up to 63.1 billion. And we're owing our creditors 2.26 billion, all current. Of concern again is the fact that coreclaim

02:01:25departments and all the departments and core did not upload their reports timeously. So my question to you is what consequence management is and will be taken against those officials who do not comply with your reporting? Thank you.claim

02:01:42And we note the report.

02:01:46Thank you, Councillor. Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

02:01:51Good day once again, Madam Speaker, um, and through you to the MMC. Um, you'll, you'll never going to impress the blue party by wearing blue. So maybe you must consider wearing green. Um, but having said that, um, I'm sure, MMC, you are looking at a different report than, than I'm looking at, at item 51, the MFMA report for January 2025. Because I cannot see that the city's finances are stable. Um,claim

02:02:21as was mentioned by Councillor Santana, the collection rate dropped further from 84% in the, in the, in the second quarter report to 80.9%. Uh, I, I've got no words. Um, yes, I know we had system problems, we had, uh, water interruptions in December, but, but we are heading, heading for disaster. Um, our debtors book jumped only in one month. In the second quarter report, it was standing at 60.7 billion. Just a month later, end of January, it was standing at 63.1 billion. Um, this is, this is scary. This is frightening stuff. Um,claim

02:03:01we're receiving this report. It hasn't served on Section 79 as yet. Um, I think I, I really want to, um, ask the Mayoral Committee when, because those reports need to go to them first for their approval, um, that they also correct the mistakes in the report before it comes to council. Um, the report says on, on the first page that we had a year-to-date deficit of, of 951 million. In fact, that was a year-to-date surplus. It makes quite a big difference, um,claim

02:03:32on a 951 million figure. Um, but there as well, we're showing a 951 million surplus, but we still have not written off debt impairment since October, November, and December, and January. So we have not made a surplus. We're actually making a huge loss, especially with the 80.9% collection rate. Um, our finances really need decisive action. Yes, we say we are stable,claim

02:04:00uh, seven years down in the financial year. Our Capex spending is only standing at 29% after seven months. We've got five months left to make up the other 71%, but we cannot spend because we do not have money. So, um, everything goes back down to collection rate. My last question here, and it's actually not part of the MFMA report, that I asked a question yesterday on, on City Power's report. What happened to the Eskom dispute of the 3.6 billion? This is of a very utmost importance in the city's financials, seeing that we're having a 951 surplus. What happened to that dispute? Does Eskom owe us 3.6, or do we owe Eskom 3.6? And I think the councillors and the residents are entitled to know what was the outcome of that, of that committee, that independent committee that was supposed to give, uh, adjudication on the 6th of December last year. And we would really appreciate the answers on those questions. Thank you very much.claim

02:05:07Thank you, Councillor Boer. Action SA, Councillor Masuku.

02:05:23Honourable Speaker, eh, members of council, the fellow residents of Johannesburg. I rise on item 51. The latest report, the latest financial reports confirm what many of us have been raising for months: a city in financial distress, a city where mismanagement has been, has been, sorry, a city

02:05:52the latest financial report confirm what many of us have been raising for months: a city in financial distress, a city where mismanagement has crippled service delivery, and a city where residents are being failed daily. While we acknowledge the recommendation put forward, the people of Johannesburg do not need more reports filled with promises. They need action. They need accountability. They need real solutions.

02:06:20The city financial position remains weak. The report reveals a budget deficit of 951 million and under-collection of revenue. With only 80.9% of billed revenue has been collected, below the budget 84.2%. This shortfall affects the city's ability to pay service providers, maintain infrastructure, and deliver essential services.claim

02:06:53Key departments as such Economic Development, Transport, and Corporate Services are failing to start spending their budget at the maximum level. It will result in crumbling the road networks as maintenance is delayed. The city will continue to face housing backlogs as Human Settlement fails to meet its target. We are extremely concerned with the crumbling of public spaces

02:07:22as funds meant for urban renewal remain untouched. This financial report highlights yet another crisis in Johannesburg: our inability to provide stable electricity and water services. City Power remains overdrawn, highlighting serious liquidity issues. A bulk electricity over-expenditure of 765 million due to Eskom billing dispute concerning.claim

02:07:53The water collection rate is at 77.6%, leaving critical gaps in funding for infrastructure repairs. Speaker, we cannot just rely on tariffs and rates as means to generate revenue. We need to collect more water and electricity system. We also, there's also a problem that we rely heavily on grants from National Treasury. We need to increase

02:08:25our revenue collection. Madam Speaker, the people of Johannesburg deserve answers to why their services are failing while budgets are being mismanaged. In conclusion, Speaker, the time of excuses is over. The people of Johannesburg do not need more reports telling them what they already know. They need action. They need a government that is capable, accountable, and committed to deliver services. Action SA stands firm in its commitment to fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development,

02:09:00and better service delivery. We'll continue to hold this government accountable, and we will not rest until people of this city receive the service they deserve. Madam Speaker, Johannesburg can be fixed, but only if we can stop making excuses and start making real changes. Thank you.

02:09:31Thank you, Councillor Masuku. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

02:09:36Thank you, Speaker. I rise on item 51. The EFF notes the report.

02:09:46Thank you, Councillor Nhlapo. ANC, Councillor Maswazi.

02:09:51Thank you, Speaker. The ANC would like to note the report. Thank you.

02:09:56Thank you, Councillor. MMC Arnolds.

02:10:02Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'd like to start off with Councillor Santana. You are correct. January and December's collections are low, and it's always been like this. It's exacerbated by the critical maintenance on the system as well. We have cumulative collections of over 86%, and we are pushing to over 88% by the year-end.claim

02:10:31Councillors, the Capex on the report does not include commitments. It does not mean that Capex projects aren't moving. Eskom case and SANEDI report, Councillor Boer, is ongoing. This is a complex investigation, and we all want it to conclude. We definitely want this to conclude, but we must allow time for the engineers to do their work.

02:11:00This is a budget, Councillors, there is a budget surplus, and we are planning to maintain the surplus, which will be the first in three years. Let's acknowledge progress and not just criticize. The metro trading entities currently happening with National Treasury will fundamentally change electricity and water businesses and bring about much-needed funds for refurbishment. Madam Speaker, in conclusion, while the financial performance is stabilizing, there is a clear need to accelerate capital projects and improve collection. I table this report and recommend that council notes its contents. I thank you.claim

02:11:46Thank you, MMC. Does the house note this report? Thank you, Councillors.

Item 52: Amendment of the Waste Management By-law

02:11:56Uh, Councillors, we're on item 52, and that's the amendment of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management By-law.

02:12:03DA, Councillor Koekemoer.

02:12:08Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on item 52, the amendment of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management By-law. And today I would like to join my fellow councillor, Councillor Schay, in the theme of deriving wisdom from children's books. Now, I won't call anybody locusts today, don't worry, Madam Speaker. Um, but there is one in particular that is quite special. Um, it's actually my favorite children's book of all time. It's Alice in Wonderland.

02:12:38And the reason why I find this book so incredibly special is it's one of those children's books where you can almost gauge your level of growth as a human being, um, based on how you related to the book as a child and how you relate to the book as an adult. And there is one quote in particular from this book that I would like to refer to today, and it says, "If you drink much from a bottle marked 'poison,' it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later." I'm going to repeat that. "If you drink much from a bottle marked 'poison,' it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later." Now, it is at this point that I want to remind council that everything we consume, whether it be food, water, or the air we breathe, comes from our natural environment. Now, unlike trees that consume the yucky stuff, like carbon dioxide, to give us oxygen, human beings work in the opposite way. So we consume oxygen, clean water, and plants, and in turn, we poison our environments.

02:13:40Now, that is kind of a natural process. I call it the collateral damage of being a human being in the 21st century. It's not always intended, um, but it does happen. But you can't expect someone, for example, to care about things like recyclable or biodegradable dustbin liners if they can't even put food on the table. So it's kind of just a thing that happens with being human. Um, but with that said, that means that we need to be

02:14:09very aware of the effects that we have on our environment, and where we can as a city, we need to kind of put measures in place to try and mitigate against this. Now, one of the many ways we can break the cycle of poisoning and consuming poison is to be mindful of how we intentionally or unintentionally affect the environment through the waste we put into the environment, and how we manage that waste, and that is where waste management by-laws come in. Now, some of the key amendments of the Waste Management By-law that's presented in the report refers to Chapter 3, which is owners building or renovating shall pay a deposit for cleaning to the City of Johannesburg. I think this is a very positive amendment. Um, I think that is something we can definitely get behind because what is happening currently is as people develop, they start dumping wherever they see a spot because we do not have enough landfill sites anymore. Um, so they just go wherever and they dump it there, and it ends up costing Pikitup quite a bit to clean it up. So I'm glad that this was brought into this.

02:15:11Chapter 4, the formal integration of waste pickers into the waste management system. Now, this could be a very positive amendment, but I would like to pause here for a second. We can formalize the sector as much as we want to, and we cannot deny the role that informal waste pickers play in our waste management. We cannot deny that. But what I can also tell you is unless we start addressing the issue of undocumented nationals, we're not going to solve the problem either. They're not going to buy into the city's system if they are undocumented. They would not be able to. So that is something that we do need to have a look at. That is something that we do need to address. That is something that we do need to address before this would actually have an impact on our environment. Now, Chapter 9, um, strengthening measures against illegal dumping and abandonment of waste. This is also extremely, extremely positive for us. Um, but this should also it should extend to medical waste. I think our hospitals are quite reckless in this. Now, Madam Speaker, I'm hearing the chairperson scream there from the other side. You know, we got paid this morning. So I don't think I'd be doing due diligence if I am not speaking on items that I'm responsible for in my committee.

02:16:33Now, these are all very necessary amendments to safeguard our natural environments and remind our residents of their responsibility to keep our environment clean. However, I would like to caution that by-laws are only as effective as their implementation and enforcement. So as much effort that was put into amending these by-laws, I hope the same effort will be put into enforcing them. If we keep poisoning our environments, it is going to start disagreeing with us sooner or later. Madam Speaker, we support these amendments. Thank you.

02:17:09Thank you, Councillor. UDM, Councillor Zigebe.

02:17:15Through you, Speaker, Councillor Koekemoer, the chairperson this side was not speaking about you going home, but the illegal immigrants that you were speaking about. So you're allowed to debate. Honourable Speaker, I rise on behalf of the United Democratic Movement and the minority governing parties, um, to address this report. The proposed amendments to the Waste Management By-law of 2021 address, um, severe environmental and public health threats. Johannesburg generates over 1.4 million tons of waste annually, with 90% filling near-capacity landfill sites. Illegal dumping incidents increased by 18% over three years, polluting our environment and draining resources from essential services. These amendments strategically formalize the essential role of waste pickers by providing registration and accreditation, fostering dignified employment, and enhancing the circular economy. Additionally, stricter penalties, including the fines up to R50,000 and impounding vehicles involved in illegal dumping, assert a zero-tolerance stance on environmental degradation. We recognize construction waste's significant impact on and introduce a refundable deposit system to encourage responsible disposal practices, ensuring contractors bear accountability for their waste. This initiative is restorative, aiming to reduce landfill waste by 20% and increase recycling rates by 30% within three years, thus diverting 420 tons annually from landfills. These actions significantly reduce methane emissions, aligning with our city and global climate goals.claim

02:18:59Financially prudent, the amendments could generate R10 million annually through enhanced fines, reinvested into improving waste management infrastructure, technology, and employment within the green economy. Citizen engagement is pivotal. Public participation, supported by a budget of R93,500, ensures all community voices shape these critical changes. Our responsibility aligns with constitutional mandates and global commitments, notably the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Goal 13, Climate Change. Let us act decisively in endorsing these amendments for the future of Johannesburg, affirming our commitment to environmental sustainability, community dignity, and responsible governance. We note the report. Speaker,claim

02:19:52isiZulukule 10 seconds esele, eh, for the past two days in this council meeting, there have been undertones okudelela nokusa. And I want to tell you, Speaker, ukuthi uma abantu bezoza nama-scriptures besidelele ngawo, bese beze nama-quotes abuya ezincwadini zabantwana besidelele ngabo, thina sizohamba siyovusa omkhulu nokhokho bethu, sithathe ama-quotes abo sizobadelela ngabo. Akuzukuba mnandi kulendawo. Nkosi.emotive

02:20:26isiZuluThank you, Councillor Zigebe. Ngizophinde ngisho futhi

02:20:30that in this council, we don't want to stifle debate, but when we are rising to debate, let's do so in a respectful manner and not provoke each other.

02:20:47I'll move over to the following speaker, and that speaker is from the Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

02:20:54Thank you once again, Madam Speaker. Um, I'm rising on item 52, the Waste Management By-law. Um, as the Freedom Front, we really welcome this, uh, by-law adjustment, um, especially where it addresses the two critical issues of illegal dumping and the formalizing of the waste pickers. Um, that is something that we need to address. We cannot, um, go around that. Um, and, Madam Speaker, our city is dirty. Our city is very dirty.

02:21:25Um, the landfill sites are full, and we can only have new landfill sites, if they are available, at an enormous cost. Um, and we have to start thinking out of the box. Waste management will always be a problem, but I'm also regarding myself as an old man. Um, and I remember when I was still young and I was still in school, um, we had various projects, um, especially amongst the schools, um, to educate children to be aware of recycling. We had, um, "Zap it in the Zibi bag" and we had "Collect-a-Can." Um, there's so much things that we can do. Waste has got a value attached. And I think Pikitup must really investigate again, uh, to reduce the amount of waste that's going to our landfill sites, to go and speak to the recycling companies, uh, recycling of plastic, uh, the recycling of glass, recycling of paper and carton, um, tins and so forth, and take hands with those recycling companies, um, and promote a sort of recycling action, uh, amongst the schools, for example, to make competitions for the school that collects the most recyclable material. Um, give them cash prizes or pay the schools for the amount of waste they recycle. That will have a major impact, and not only that, it will generate income for the schools, um, that it will also create jobs. It will preserve our landfill sites, and it will educate our children. We have to educate our children that wasting stuff is not okay. You cannot throw stuff out of the car's window. You cannot just dump your stuff on the pavement. You cannot just do whatever you want. I think there are so many opportunities here that we can explore, which won't cost us money. In fact, it will probably even make us money. And if we get to a stage where we really educate our people to start recycling the recyclable waste, then we can even consider doing Pikitup collections every two weeks instead of once a week. Um, so I think we have to start thinking out of the box, but we really welcome this new Waste Management By-law, and we support this item. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

02:24:03Thank you, Councillor Boer. ACDP, Councillor Harris.

02:24:09Uh, greetings, Madam Speaker, EM, MMCs, Chief Whip, chairpersons, colleagues, residents. I rise to speak on item 52, the amendment of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management By-law. There are a few sections that need clarity. Section 33 provides for the inspection of plans, licenses, and documents. Does this extend to inspecting the material, including stolen copper pipes and cables, held on the premises of scrapyards and recycling businesses? Section 37 speaks about the integration of waste pickers. Will non-South Africans be integrated as well? How will the by-law affect informal waste pickers and their methods of transporting recyclable material? Section 49 talks to receptacles. The ACDP feeling is that it should be mandatory for these to be clearly marked with addresses, and these may not be moved more than 100 meters from the address. Uh, just a quick aside, I was in Noordgesig one time, and we watched a guy walking past us with one of these wheelie bins, and inside the bin was the body of a person he had just killed. Uh, these receptacles are used for all kinds of crimes, and I think we should be doing something about stopping that.claim

02:25:38Part 2, 57 states and 72.1 deals with the general business waste and the prohibition of littering. How do we deal with the private sector, specifically fast food outlets like KFC and McDonald's, whose packaging is so easily discarded? How do we deal with supermarkets whose packaging material is the packet of choice in illegal dumping? How do we deal with motorists who throw litter and stompies—not Councillor De Lange—out of their moving vehicles? Uh, Chapter 9, 70 refers to accumulated waste. Are broken-down cars included? How do we deal with hoarders and the evidence of their sickness inside and outside their homes? The thread of enforcement, or the lack of it, runs through these by-laws. Uh, 87.2 mentions the court for the first time. The adoption of this by-law should encourage the city to establish a municipal court so that enforcement is taken seriously, it is swift, and a suitable deterrent to the serious antisocial behavior of dumping. The ACDP will advocate for an authorized enforcement official to accompany waste collection teams so that the infringements can be dealt with the minute they're identified. JMPD and CRUM must be included in the enforcement regime. Education efforts must be focused on putting a policeman in every citizen's head rather than having people only obey the law when the policeman is visible. The ACDP urges the communication department to extend the public participation beyond the usual adverts in four publications. Please use all the elements of the digital and social media to reach younger and tech-savvy stakeholders. The ACDP calls on citizens to actively participate in the amendment process and to contribute to crafting a fair and equitable by-law. The ACDP welcomes these reports and notes it. Thank you.

02:27:50Thank you, Councillor Harris. EFF, Councillor Mkasi.

02:27:58Eh, thank you very much, Speaker. Um, we would like to begin by extending our revolutionary greetings to the leadership of the EFF caucus in the City of Johannesburg. Special acknowledgment to our caucus leader, Commissar Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, our Chief Whip, Councillor Thabiso Mogapi, and all dedicated progressive councillors. Most importantly, to residents of the City of Johannesburg, receive our revolutionary greetings. Speaker, as the representatives of the Economic Freedom Fighters, we are pleased to address the amendment of the by-law on waste management today. This amendment reflects our commitment to the principles outlined in the 2024 EFF People's Manifesto, which emphasize the importance of strengthening law enforcement in the realm of waste management.

02:28:53We are dedicated to amend and enhancing the National Environmental Management Act and other progressive legislation to implement stricter measures against the dumping of toxic waste. Additionally, we aim to establish a robust rehabilitation commitment that extends beyond the economic lifespan of operations. This amendment embodies those goals, and we appreciate the contribution of all stakeholders involved in this proposal. Speaker, the constitution of our country champions the right to a healthy environment as stated in Section 24. It affirms our obligation to protect the environment for current and future generations through appropriate legislative measures. The amendment of Waste Management By-law is not intended as a punishment; rather, it serves to safeguard the well-being of our citizens. Eh, it is our collective responsibility as a city to foster a healthy and sustainable environment. This item has been submitted to the council

02:30:00for the necessary publication approval in compliance with legal requirements as part of by-law amendment processes. It is crucial that the draft is gazetted to enable meaningful public participation. We believe that public engagement should not merely fulfill a legal obligation, it must also exemplify the democratic values of our society.

02:30:24We recommend the expanding public participation opportunities beyond traditional media channels, ensuring that residents, especially in disadvantaged areas, who lack access to newspapers and social media are engaged in person. Speaker, we would like to encourage the residents of Region C

02:30:49to actively participate in the upcoming IDP consultation scheduled for Saturday, 29 March 2025 at Roodepoort Civic Center 10:00 a.m. We encourage community members to engage constructively in the IDP processes while also holding officials accountable for the progress since the last IDP session.

02:31:12It is essential to keep the meeting focused. This is a critical opportunity for communities voices to be heard. We urge you to create an environment where community members can express their views freely without restrictive time limitations on their needs and priorities can be prioritized.

02:31:36For any resident needing information on transportation to the venue, please feel free to reach out to the EFF branch in your area. We are here to assist in coordinating logistics provided by the city. In conclusion, Speaker, the Economic Freedom Fighters

02:31:58fully support these recommendations and look forward to working together for a cleaner and healthier environment for all. Inkomu, Speaker.

02:32:15Thank you, Councillor Mkasi. ActionSA, Councillor Mashala.

02:32:29Thank you, beautiful Speaker.

02:32:34Greetings to yourself, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the fabulous 44, the residents of the City of Joburg, and fellow councillors in the house. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 52. Speaker, ActionSA notes and welcomes the amendments of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management By-law

02:32:56that are aimed at strengthening the regulation of waste management to protect the health of people and the environment. Madam Speaker, we welcome this as it aligns with what we stand for as a party. We believe that as South Africans, we have an equitable role in addressing the climate challenge as responsible global citizens.

02:33:19Madam Speaker, waste management is an inescapable challenge of our times. Whenever waste is produced, it needs to be managed well and with the potential environmental impacts in mind to help us avoid unnecessary disposal, environmental damage, and the entire population's health. So it is very vital that measures are in place to effectively manage. And Speaker, ActionSA notes this report. Thank you.

02:33:49Thank you, Councillor Mashala. MMC Mgcina.

02:33:56Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Greetings to yourself, the Executive Mayor, Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs, fellow MMCs and councillors, and residents at home. Let me thank members of the committee for supporting this particular amendment report to the waste

02:34:22the waste amendment report. I also note that or agree with yourselves that this amendment seeks to address the challenges of illegal dumping, limited landfill sites, waste pickers issues, as well as the greenhouse gas emission,

02:34:49but also to ensure that we also comply in terms of the Waste Act in the country. I think all councillors did support this particular report, and we welcome that support and request that this report be approved. Thank you.

02:35:09Thank you, MMC Mgcina. Councillors, the recommendations are on pages 52.3 to 52.4. Is the item agreed to?

02:35:23Agreed.

Lunch adjournment

02:35:25Councillors, we are going to break for lunch. We'll be back after an hour, which is 15:08.

02:50:32Testing one, two. Testing one, two. One, two. Today, January, February, March, March, January.

Item 53: National Environmental Laws Amendment Act implications and appeal authority

03:06:12Welcome back, councillors. We resume with item 53, which is to inform Council to take note of the implications of the National Environmental Laws Amendment Act of 2022 and delegate the appeal authority.

03:06:33Thank you, Secretary to Council. I'll start with our first speaker from DA, Councillor Koekemoer. Councillor, please hold on. Where's the hand? Councillor Rahn.

03:06:49Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just wanted to check, um it doesn't look like everybody's back from lunch yet. Do we have a quorum yet?

03:06:56Everyone is back from lunch. Before we table the budget items, we'll do a headcount. Councillor Koekemoer.

03:07:06Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on item 54, which is the public participation, not the public, 53, to inform the Council to take notes of the implications of the National Environment Laws Amendment Act 2 of 2022 and to delegate the appeal authority. Um not much on this today. Um I just have a single request. If this can please just be workshopped with the EISD Committee, um as I do not recall this actually coming to the committee. But aside from that, I do believe that it is very positive and we do note and support the report.

03:07:38Councillor Boer.

03:07:42Good afternoon, Madam Speaker. Um I will be short as well. Um we welcome the amendments to the Environmental Management Act because it's such an important issue. Um it's not something that bring in money to the city. It's costing us money,

03:07:58but environment is so precious and fragile um and we owe it to our children to do whatever we can do to preserve our environment. Um EISD is already doing splendid uh job and this amendment of the Act just give us more power and power to the City Manager to enforce our environmental um inspections. Um air pollution, water pollution, um

03:08:28if we go on on the same basis, there will be nothing left for our children. So, we need to invest in our environment and as a city, we I think we are pretty lucky with the effect of climate changes so far. Um if we see what happens in KZN, the Eastern Cape, um Western Cape with flooding, with storms, with tornadoes, um and I think in Johannesburg and in Gauteng we are pretty much blessed that we don't have those extreme

03:08:56um climate uh effect, but it can come for us any time as well. So, we really have to uh prioritize and make funds available. I know EISD is very much understaffed to try and help our environment. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

03:09:14Thank you, Councillor.

03:09:19That's original stuff. Thank you, beautiful Speaker. I rise to speak

03:09:29report. Thank you.

03:09:34Thank you, Councillor. EFF, Councillor Mkasi.

03:09:45Uh thanks very much, uh Speaker. Greetings to you and fellow councillors. I'm not Councillor Mkasi. However, I'm being deployed by Councillor Mkasi on behalf of the EFF to note the report. Thank you very much.

03:10:04Thank you, Councillor. ANC, Councillor Madiba.

03:10:15Uh thank you, Speaker, and greetings to you and the whole house. The African National Congress uh welcomes and notes the report. Thank you.

03:10:34isiZuluSiyabonga, Councillor. MMC Mgcina.

03:10:42Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um let me once more thank the members for supporting this particular uh report as presented. Um and also note what uh Councillor Boer has raised on the issue of um the shortage of staff in the unit that deals with water, I mean, sorry, that deals with um uh what's this? The waste issues. That is noted and will be extended to the relevant officials. Thank you.

03:11:25Thank you, MMC Mgcina. The recommendations are on page 53.8. Is the item agreed to?

03:11:32Agreed.

03:11:34Thank you, councillors.

Items 54 to 81: Property and land transactions tabled together

03:11:40Uh councillors, the following items will be read together and tabled together. Item 54 is a public participation process for the proposed development and long-term lease of Erven 729, 730, 731, and 732 in Yeoville into a mixed-use development. Read with item 55, and that is the request to conduct public participation in respect of the proposed development or a long-term lease of the Portion 42 of the Farm Diepkloof 319-IQ, known as Soweto Empowerment Zone.

03:12:18Uh item 56 is the public participation in terms of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations for the proposed lease of a portion of Portion 235 of farm in Ruimsig uh 265-IQ, known as uh Ruimsig uh Country Club for sports and recreational purposes. Item 57 is the public participation in terms of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulation for the proposed development and long-term lease of the remainder of portion of 205

03:12:51of the farm in Langlaagte 224-IQ um into mixed-use development, and item 58 is a lease of portion of Erf 957, Fairland for sports and recreational purposes. Item 59 is the proposed lease of portion of Erf 1109 in Emmarentia Extension 1 for multi-purpose um sports and recreational purposes.

03:13:21Item 60 is the proposed sale of Erf 1169 in Rabie Ridge Extension 1 for residential purposes. Item 61 is the lease of Erf 6489 in Lenasia Extension 5 for sports purposes. Item 62 is the lease of Erf 12498 in Ivory Park in Extension 10 for community purposes. Item 63 is the proposed lease of Erven 99, Erven 100, and 102

03:13:52in um in Houtkoppen for business purposes, and item 64 is the sale of Portion 1 of Erf 824 in Parkwood for educational purposes. Item 65 is the proposed lease of portion of the remainder of the Portion 45 uh farm in uh Klipfontein in 203-IQ for community educational programs and sports and recreational purposes. Item 66 is the proposed lease of a portion of the remaining extent

03:14:24of Portion 97 uh farm in Olifantsvlei in 196-IQ. Item 67 is proposed development of a lease of a portion of Erf 794 in Gallo Manor, public participation. Item 68 is the proposed lease of the portion of Erf 2865 in uh Blairgowrie for sports purposes. Sorry, it's Blairgowrie, sorry.

03:14:52Um item 69 is the proposed lease of a portion of the remainder of the Holding 107 and 108 in Linbro Park Agricultural Holding for sports and recreational purposes. Item 70 is the lease of portion of the remainder of the Portion 73 and farm in Waterval uh 211 uh IQ adjacent portion to 107 of a farm in Waterval 211-IQ. Item 71 is the proposed development and long-term lease of Erf 1210 in Marshalltown.

03:15:27Item 72 is the proposed long-term lease development of Erf 2004 in Rosettenville Extension. Item 73 is the proposed mixed-use development and long-term lease of Erven 272, 273, 274, 279, and portions of Erven uh 269, 271, and 280, City and Suburban. Um item 74 is the acquisition of uh Erven 339, uh 340, 341, 344, 345, 346, and 347,

03:16:05City of Suburban in spots of uh Usindiso block regeneration. Item 75 is the proposed mixed-use development and long-term lease of Erven 342 and 343, City and Suburban. Item 76 is the proposed acquisition of land rights over portions of privately owned properties in Lombardy uh West for road widening purposes in favor of the City of Johannesburg.

03:16:35Item uh 77 is the proposed acquisition of land rights over the remaining portion of Portion 637 in Randjesfontein in 405 uh JR in favor of the City of Johannesburg. Item 78, the redevelopment of the Metro Centre precinct in line with the office space optimization, and item 79 is an acquisition of the portion

03:17:05of 12 of farm uh Vogelsfontein, and item uh sorry, uh Vogelsfontein in 233-IQ, and item 80 is the registration of the electrical servitude over the remaining extent of Portion 1 of the Farm Diepsloot in 388-JR, the remaining extent of the farm in uh Randfontein of 532-JQ, and Portion 2

03:17:38of the farm in Doornrandje in 386-JR in favor of Eskom. And lastly, item 81, which is the cancellation and re-registration of the electrical servitude over the remainder of the Portion 1 of the farm in Diepsloot 388-JR in favor

03:17:58Thank you, Speaker. I know you've corrected that 78 you are debating. Thank you. No

Debate on property items: Metro Centre redevelopment feasibility study (item 78)

03:18:07from Freedom Front Plus, which is Councillor De Lange.

03:18:14Uh Madam Speaker, before you start my time, did the Secretary read in the item? He did. Thank you. Speaker, all protocol observed. My pre-warning, I will be referring to thorns. Side is sticking out there by that window, like a thorn in the side, and that is

03:18:38Council is asking us today to kick-start a process for a feasibility study. Now, Madam Speaker, on the 12th of May 2023, Council took a resolution to close the Metro Centre and to go on a refurbishing mission, if I can call it that. We are 2 years after the fact this specific month, and it looks like the best way forward, Madam Speaker, is a PPP, a public-private partnershipclaim

03:19:07process that must be approved by National Treasury and by Council, but we are still 2 years after the fact. And Madam, here it comes. It seems as PPP partners,claim

03:19:17Afrikaansin Afrikaans they say so skaars soos hoendertande,claim

03:19:21and I will translate. It's as scarce as chicken teeth, because chickens has got a beak. I'm not calling anybody chickens. Madam, then a PPP process is in the document on page six, and it gives feasibility study that you're asking for now, 6 to 12 months. We are 12 months um beyond that. Then a procurement of 3 to 6 months, we are 18 months beyond that. Design and uh pre-construction phase, 12 to 18 months, we are now 6 months after that. Construction estimated at 5 years. I can't see that actually happening. We are already 2 years down the line since the closing. Operations is ongoing. And then uh project handover, 1 to 6 months. Again, we are 18 months behind that.

03:20:11So, Madam Speaker, today we are here, 2 years after the fact, asking for a feasibility study. In 2016, the EFF caucus joined the City of Joburg for the first time, and I met a councillor by the name of Councillor Musa Novela, and he used to have a catchphrase, "It can't be, Speaker." So, I'm saying it can't be, Speaker. This specific chamber that we're standing in, the budget was just over a billion rand. It was a year over the time limit, and it cost us 1.3 billion. I hear in the media and uh figures floating around of 800 million to refurbish the Metro Centre.

03:20:49Now, Madam Speaker, how and when? How can it be? Where will we get the money to do this? Because it doesn't look like our PPP partners are falling out of trees. Nobody's got the appetite to do business with government anymore because there's not a huge enough return for themselves. This same person, Mrs. Helen Botes, she was responsible for this project, Madam Speaker, and now she's acting COO of the city.

03:21:1630 seconds remaining.

03:21:18Thank you, Madam Speaker. JPC, we saw today in the second quarter, and the Metro Centre, Madam Speaker, is proof of very bad management, mismanagement of finances, and again, it looks like we're earmarking Mrs. Botes to maybe become the City Manager. Madam Speaker, it can't be. Thank you very much.

03:21:52Thank you, Councillor De Lange. DA, Councillor Reddy.

03:22:06Thank you, Madam Speaker. Good day, Madam Speaker, DA caucus, and leadership. All protocols observed. I rise today to speak on a much debated and spoken about subject, the redevelopment of Metro House. We are asked today to authorize the second phase and process leading to the redevelopment of Metro House, the feasibility study. The report I refer to outlines all the phases, of which there are four: inception, feasibility, procurement, PPP contract management, and their respective steps and timelines

03:22:38Councillor, please increase your voice a bit.

03:22:41Okay. This is all well and good, and we are being consulted while, let us not fool ourselves, the decisions have already been made. And I'm going out on a limb here to say everything else is in place, with the only requirement being that we, the elected and nominated custodians of the city, are to vote or note this report. And by doing ratify what is already a done deal.

03:23:09The project is open and transparent as mud. We paint a woeful picture how it is uninhabitable, but not inhabitable as the report states, which is if it was inhabitable, let's discard this, all these structural failures, building degradation, and no oversight visit. So that we can all by the Mayoral Committee on 20th March 2020, 2020, to proceed with the redevelopment and decanting of Metro House.

03:23:48of the MFMA Act and National Treasury that this house votes on and passes the proposals. The entire process has been shrouded in secrecy. I say duplicity because at no stage was phase one brought. However, phase one, the inception phase, was started by Mrs. Helen Botes, CEO of Joburg Property Company, last year around

03:24:15and culminated in the appointment of the project advisor, and this we find out in this report at the start of phase two, as it has been appointed. On the point of authorizations, this august house is being asked again to afford the CEO of JPC the power and authority to make decisions, somebody a blank check. Given the current performance of JPC, can we really trust JPC, even with the transactional advisor present, to be prudent and circumspect with our moneys, and to act in the city's best interest and not in that of interested parties?

03:24:52In the absence of a permanent CEO, what continuity are we guaranteed with a right to spending and decision-making? From the outset, we learned that this was sent to National Treasury for approval. We constantly were told by Mrs. Botes that there are absolutely no financial implications for the city, that all costs were there are financial implications for the city, with Group Finance confirming transactional advisor and project advisor, if they are the same person uh or group, and the city has to pay them. We are constantly being asked to trust in the process because external parties will be assisting to adjudicate, and I ask this house, who entrusts their money to somebody else without full information and checks and balances in place?

03:25:46We are told what steps that this feasibility study contains, and that the terms of phrases PPP, public-private partnership, refurbishment, and redevelopment out as I see it as there's no real detail in the feasibility study or what it will contain. But I see it as part of this building will be refurbished, part will be redeveloped, and we aren't really given what the costs are and what redevelopment costs are, whether the entire precinct or part thereof will be subject to this PPP.

03:26:28We aren't told what type of redevelopment partnership will be considered in the feasibility study, or what the actual implications the city. When this OSO plan was for the redevelopment of the precinct was first considered around 2013, the city's business landscape was very different. A beneficiary of this plan of was this is this broken, but beautiful building of ours, the Connie Bapela Chamber.

03:26:57Then COVID happened and work from home became a real thing, leaving many buildings empty. COVID ended, these buildings remained empty, and with lots of A-grade office space. These buildings were being sold at fire-sale prices, but we didn't buy them. Instead, we opted to lease buildings. And one wondered why. We asked that question in this house itself. Now we know why that we entered into these questionable leases.

03:27:29We're told that the number of people that Metro House once housed, 3,000 people, uh they could only then house 65% of that, roughly 2,000. We are also told that city employees were being housed in 159 different buildings in and around the city. Are these people being brought back into the city and leaving the regions empty? We were advised that on uh we were advised of a special urgent Section 79 meeting to discuss 45 urgent JPC property transactions, many of which were deferred back in November, and these have come back to this house relatively unchanged.

03:28:11These were 48 transactions, and lo and behold, number 45 was Metro House feasibility study. These items were regarded as urgent and were required by us to be considered immediately so that it be brought to Council. In reality, the items were pushed through so that it couldn't get the scrutiny it deserved, and it didn't, purely because we did not have adequate time to sufficiently interrogate this report.

03:28:42But it is here today, and it will most definitely be noted by the GLU. We in this house have a responsibility to our residents to protect them, to ensure their money is spent in an accountable and responsible manner that is open, honest, and transparent. And I see very little of that. But please let us do our duty and make the right decisions for the right reasons, and I thank you.

Item 78: Metro Centre redevelopment, opposition debate

03:29:15Thank you, Councillor Reddy. UDM, Councillor Zigebe.

03:29:23Speaker, the redevelopment recognize and appreciate the administration's commitment to addressing the deteriorating state of the Metro Centre. The reports from engineers and regulatory authorities have made it clear that urgent intervention is required to safeguard the safety of employees and visitors alike. The absence of a um the years has exacerbated the structural deficiencies and we

03:30:00redevelopment. We also believe that the approach taken must be subjected to thorough scrutiny to ensure that it meets the long-term interests of Johannesburg residents. Proposed PPP model is one avenue that could provide the necessary resources and expertise while alleviating the financial burden on the city. However, we must ensure that it is it is it is structured

03:30:24for money, financial sustainability and service delivery. PPP

03:30:30success in various contexts, but they also carry inherent risk. Cost overruns, contractual disputes, and inadequate risk-sharing mechanisms could compromise the intended

03:30:44it is to ensure that the terms of engagement protect public interest and that due diligence is exercised throughout the process.

03:30:54Native consideration of a long-term development lease also presents opportunities and challenges. While it retains public ownership of the Metro Centre, it entrusts the private sector with significant

03:31:10The viability of this approach must be carefully weighed against the city's long-term financial commitment.

03:31:21We firmly advocate for transparency and robust oversight mechanisms. We have seen the consequences of inadequate governance in similar projects and we must not allow history to repeat itself. Our role is to enhance the discourse, ensuring that we avoid

03:31:40that will benefit our communities. The socioeconomic impact of this redevelopment must also be a primary consideration. Job creation is a critical objective, and we must guarantee that opportunities are equitably distributed. Small, medium, micro enterprises, particularly those led by historically disadvantaged individuals must be prioritized in procurement and service provision. Furthermore, we must ensure that this redevelopment project

03:32:10project fosters spatial cohesion and urban integration. A centralized government precinct must enhance service delivery rather than fragmenting administrative functions across multiple and execution will be required to achieve these goals. Financial prudence remains paramount. The City of Johannesburg budget constraints necessitate careful fiscal management to avoid undue strain on municipal resources. Any long-term financial commitments

03:32:38PPP obligations must be subjected to rigorous cost-benefit analysis. Therefore, as we move forward, we call for a comprehensive feasibility study that rigorously assesses all available models and their implications for the city's financial and operational sustainability.

03:32:5330 seconds remaining.

03:32:54The redevelopment of the Metro Centre is a necessary and welcome step toward modernizing our city's infra fits to the people of Johannesburg. Let us work collectively to ensure that this initiative becomes a model of efficiency.

03:33:13Thank you, Councillor Zigebe. ActionSA, Councillor Mohlala.

03:33:20Thank you very much.

03:33:25to you, greetings to the fabulous 44, greetings to our guests at the gallery, greetings to all councillors, most importantly, greetings to the residents of the City of Johannesburg, and special greetings to myself. Speaker, I rise to speak on item 78, the redevelopment of the Metro Centre in line with the office spaceclaim

03:33:55The Metro Centre is a building that is approximately 50 years old, providing an office accommodation to the staff of 3,000 except the visitors of the city. Speaker, in an actual fact, this building requires refurbishment every 15 years. However, Speaker, none of that has ever happened under the former CEO, Mrs. Helen Botes. Sadly. So, Speaker, finally,claim

03:34:30Sepedibe done. Ka Sepedi re re, or ka Sesotho re re, at least gona le nko e tswang lemina.

03:34:37Speaker, we note and approve the implementation of the feasibility study for the redevelopment of the Metro Centre using the PPP model. However, Speaker, all we are calling for is a clear transparency and accountability from both the city and an interested private partners. By so saying, Speaker, we excitedly note and approve this report. Thank you very much.

03:35:08Thank you, Councillor. EFF, Councillor Molala.

03:35:27I'll be speaking on behalf of the EFF, not Councillor Molala, since he's not 26 committed EFF battalions, fellow councillors, and residents of Johannesburg. The EFF rises on item 78 to make it clear. We do not support the privatization of public property under the guise of redeveloping or optimization. The Metro Centre was allowed to deteriorate under the watch of the Joburg Property Company despite countless reports, warnings, and safety risks.claim

03:36:00And what was the response from this government? No consequence management, no repairs, no regular feedback on the latest progress. Instead, we hear Instead, weclaim

03:36:11notice the Metro building being vandalized, people living inside the building, office equipment being stolen, and a host of very negative things. And get this, still no accountability, no preventative actions of the current incidents happening under our watch. The Metro building situation is similar to that of Sandton Civic Centre, where local government was run for many years, and in 2010 became the headquarters for FIFA and the nerve center for running of the World Cup.

03:36:40Later, it was abandoned and demolished on the 15th of November 2015. Speaker, we are cajoled, massaged, coerced in attempts to be hypnotized into believing that here is a shiny new plan to hand over the Metro Centre to private developers through a public-private partnership or long-term lease. Of course, there is a deliberate

03:37:06repair is inflated. As the EFF, we have long since 2014 advocated to build

03:37:16of this cogent and superior in logic document, not only shows the

03:37:22government. The government must never lease from others, but building. We must receive money and spend less. That is basic and good financial

03:37:32capacity is all about. Speaker, as things stand, all the CoJ employees are scattered and into leased buildings. Others, we are told, they are working from home. But are we really working from home, or are we really being efficient? Are we really integrated? We are even increasing the overtime, which is costly. The drawback is that CoJ is planning to go to is planning to go for institutional review. How do we do this when we do not have a building to operate from? Because that is key. Speaker, we keep on repeating this.

03:38:05We say that in the Division of Revenue Bill, the annexure published is showing us that Municipal Infrastructure Grant is nil for the financial years 2023/2024, 2024/2025, as well as 2025 to 2026. We ask Council to buffer the cost of repairing the Metro building through Intergovernmental Relations Forum, right through to Treasury, and ask for such grants to be allocated back to the City of Joburg. Let us be honest. The Metro Centre collapsed not because of lack of money, but because of lack of leadership.

03:38:36The building was left to rot, and now, instead of holding anyone accountable, we are planning to reward private investors with long-term profits, while residents get rising costs and limited transparency. As the EFF, we demand a state-led refurbishment of the Metro Centre funded through public finance institution, grants from the Treasury to buffer the cost to repair, employ local youth, empower local suppliers, and ensuring democratic control over municipal assets. Let us not forget, public land is not for sale,

03:39:10and our public buildings are not for rental. The city must build, restore, and renew or sustain, not auction off public assets through the back door. Speaker,

03:39:1730 seconds remaining.

03:39:19we agree with the first recommendations. However, we should have included a statement somewhere in this to return to Council for approval. The third recommendation in its written form provides the CEO with autonomous empirical powers, which we can't allow. Municipality in its form and design is bureaucratic, and therefore requires that

03:39:41signs, not just delegate all these powers to the CEO. Also, Council should hold executive and administration to account, and not the other way around. I thank you, Speaker.

Item 78: tabling of the Metro Centre report and MMC response

03:40:00Thank you very much, Speaker, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Chief Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs. I rise to table item 78, the redevelopment of the Metro precinct in line with the office space optimization. The CoJ's Metro Centre is a building approximately 50 years old, providing office accommodation to some staff belonging to the CoJ's legislative, executive, and administrative

03:40:37The building's use and occupancy has increased over the years, and it currently accommodates a sizable number of

03:40:453,000. A building of this age requires refurbishment every 15 years.

03:40:55risk to the occupation and its operation component at optimum performance levels. Speaker, the implementation of public-private partnership has been identified as one of the options for the refurbishment of Metro Centre. The objective of this report is to obtain the approval from Council of the City of Johannesburg to commence with processes of undertaking a feasible study for the redevelopment of Metro Centre precinct.

03:41:28As I have indicated earlier that the building of this age requires refurbishment every 15 years, several reports have been provided to justify the need of this refurbishment. This is inclusive of engineers' reports, EMS reports, and on the 10th of March 2023, a report from the Department of Employment and Labour.

03:41:53The redevelopment through public-private partnership has been identified as one of the options. This would mean that a private company would be used with municipality either paying an annual or monthly fee. The PPP partnership might be done using one of the models that I'm about to announce: build, operate, transfer; build, own, operate; design, build, finance, operate; lease, develop, operate; or we could use the option of a concessor.

03:42:34CoJ is working with National Treasury for the public-private partnership of Metro Centre following a Council resolution to close the Metro Centre and follow a PPP to develop it. National Treasury went out on a tender for the appointment of the transactional advisor for the PPP. The tender closed in February 2025 and is currently being evaluated. The transactional advisor will assist the city to package the property to attract private investors

03:43:06that will fund the redevelopment of Metro Centre. The redevelopment of Metro Centre is part of the bigger program of the office space optimization, which will ensure that the city stops

03:43:20private landlords, but instead uses its own properties to deliver services to the people. The public-private partnership process will also public-private partnership contract management. Group Finance has also confirmed budget availability, and a transactional advisor appointed. Therefore, Speaker, as the African National Congress

03:43:50isiZuluSiyabonga, Councillor.

03:43:56Mazibuko, are you filling in for MMC Mabaso?

03:44:02meeting. All councillors that are present, the

03:44:12all greeted. Speaker, I think I'm not going to get into all the issues that has been raised. But I do wish to give a background, maybe for the colleagues to understand where we come with this report. I agree, Speaker, there was a report which was tabled in the Mayoral Committee of 2020.

03:44:43But this process that we are embarking on is as a result of a mandate that was given by Council to JPC in a Council that sat on the 12th of May 2023. And the report here today is as the advice by the National Treasury. National Treasury said before you conduct a feasibility study, obtain

03:45:16That's why we are here, and that is also contained in the report. Speaker, it was a Council of 2023 which gave a mandate to JPC to conduct a feasibility study. But National Treasury said go back to Council, and that's why this report is here today. The delay, Speaker, is because JPC was waiting for National Treasury to appoint

03:45:47the transactional advisor. But over and above that, there is a project advisory as well. So there are many advisors to this process because we want

03:46:02And I agree, the building is over 50 years. The building has not been maintained, so something had to be done. So, Speaker, recommendation 4 says after the feasibility study has been concluded, the report must then come back to Council for the Council to make a determination. So all the issues that have been raised, I think they will be appropriate

03:46:31after we have done with the feasibility study. So let's just wait for the process to be completed. We'll then make a determination on the way forward, because that's what the recommendation 4 actually says. The report will come back to Council. But the recommendation 3, Speaker, says in consultation with CoJ Group Legal to consider necessary to protect the Council's interest.

03:47:02So we are not giving a blank check to JPC, because the interest of Council is also covered in recommendation 3, and that's why it says everything that JPC will engage on, it must be in consultation with Group Legal so that the Council interest is protected. And that is also covered in the report and in the recommendation of the report.

03:47:33So, Speaker, I will ask is that Council approve the recommendations. Once the feasibility study has been completed, then the report will then serve in Council. Thank you very much.

Item 78 put to the house, block adoption of items 54 to 81, DA dissent

03:47:55Thank you, MMC Mabaso. Let me start with the recommendation for item 78. The recommendations are on pages 78.14 to 78.15. Is the item agreed to?

03:48:10Agreed.

03:48:12Then, councillors, I'll go back to item 54 all the way to item 81 and read the recommendation. Item 54, the recommendations are on page 54.9 to 54.10. Item 55, the recommendations are on pages 55.8 to 55.9. Item 56, the recommendations are on page 56.10. Item 57, the recommendations

03:48:3857.10 to 57.11. Item 58, the recommendations are on page 58.8.

03:48:50Item 59, the recommendations are on page 59.10 to 59.11. Item 60, the recommendations are on page 60.8 to 60.10. Item 61, the recommendations are on page 61.7 to 61.8. Item 62, the recommendations are on page 62.6 to 62.8. Item 63, the recommendations are on page 63.6 to 63.8.

03:49:20Item 64, the recommendations are on page 64.7 to 64.8. Item 65, the recommendations are on page 65.8 to 65.9. Item 66, the recommendations are on page 66.5 to 66.7. Item 67, the recommendations are on page 67.8. Item 68, the recommendations are on page 68.6 to 68.8.

03:49:49Item 69, the recommendations are on pages 69.5 to 69.6. Item 70, the recommendations are on pages 70.6 to 70.7. Item 71, the recommendations 71.6 to 71.8. Item 72, the recommendations 72.8 to 72.9. Item 73, the recommendations on pages 76.3 to 76.4.

03:50:20Item 77, the recommendations are on page 79.4. Item 80, the recommendations are on page 80.8. Are the items agreed to?

03:50:31Agreed.

03:50:32Thank Section 79 committees.

03:50:39Before Councillor Mogapi comes in, Councillor Christians.

03:50:48Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, when you first started off with item 78, there were yeses and nos. But you did not Madam Speaker, there was, but you didn't say who had it and you then went on to the others to read in. Can we please conclude 78 in its entirety, please, because there was nos as well. Thank you.

03:51:11Sorry, Councillor Christians. I think we're all agreeing here, there was no "no." There was no "no."

03:51:20Speaker, can that man take off his cap?

03:51:29Yeah, then can you please note for the record the dissent of the Democratic Alliance on item on that item. Thank you.

03:51:39And Councillor Christians, to avoid such things in the future, I think when you pick up that you are disagreeing with the house, you've got a right to call the Speaker so that we stop and you raise your point. Not to wait for the whole process to unfold, then you come at the end and raise that point.

EFF committee membership changes and item 82

03:52:04EFF, Councillor Mogapi.

03:52:11Thank you, Speaker. Changes from the EFF caucus. From MPAC, number one, it's MPAC. In, Councillor Nkosi; out, it's Councillor Seerane. Public Safety, in, it's Councillor Mkasi and Councillor Mokwena; out, it's Councillor Zitha and Councillor Mbambala. Housing Committee, in, it's Councillor Moepi;

03:52:40out, it's Councillor Seema. EISD, in, Councillor Moepi; out, it's Councillor Tshedo. Housing Committee, oh, I'm repeating Housing. Ethics, in, Councillor Zitha. Rules Committee, in, it's Councillor Seerane; out, it's Councillor Ngwenya. Corporate and Shared Services, in, it's Councillor Dladla.

03:53:08Thank you, Councillor Mogapi. Whip of Council, Councillor Zungu.

03:53:18Greetings to yourself, Speaker. Speaker, I rise to table the report on changes of membership and also ask the house to note the report.

03:53:28is on page 82.3. Is the item agreed to?

03:53:32Agreed.

03:53:35Thank you, councillors.

Item 83: draft 2025/26 IDP and business plans, DA concerns and quorum check

03:53:38We're now on item 83, and that's your 2025/26 draft Integrated Development Plan, which is an IDP, and the 2025/26 draft departmental and municipal entities business plans.

03:54:05Good afternoon, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I just want to indicate to the house 84.2 up until 80 change in yellow, as well as 87. 87

03:54:26So because you said when we get I requested to mention when we get to the budget items.

03:54:38Councillor Christians.

03:54:43speak even though it's for noting, and I was just wondering with your indulgence if you'll allow us.

03:54:47Councillor Christians, when did you guys send that request?

03:54:51Speaker, we spoke to the secretariat yesterday.

03:54:59get that. I did not get that, so we'll proceed. Let me read the recommendations, councillors. The recommendations

03:55:08Thank you, Speaker. Alliance would like to note our concern on those items, especially item 83, where we had requested a consultation with our ward

03:55:20not been done. Thank you.

03:55:23Noted, Councillor Christians. Councillor Rahn.

03:55:30proceed with item 84. Legal, can we please confirm

04:00:20Councillors, Councillor Rahn, we do still meet quorum. We are sitting at 178. So, we are not breaking any rules of council currently. Secretary to council you can continue.

Items 84 to 110: budget, tariff and rates documents tabled for noting

04:00:34Thank you. Eh councillors we are now eh item 84, and that's the tabling of the 2025/26 to the 2027/28 eh Medium-Term Operating Budget and related documentation.

04:00:50The recommendations are on pages 84.32 to 84.33. Is the item noted?

04:00:59Noted!

04:01:04Item 85 is the tabling of the 2025/26 to the 2027/28 Medium-Term eh Capital Budget.

04:01:19Okay. The recommendations are on page 85.20. Is the item noted?

04:01:26Noted!

04:01:30Item 86 is the tabling of the first draft of the A3 Performance Improvement Action Plans eh for Trading Services Perform sorry Reforms.

04:01:40The recommendations are on page 86.2. Is the item noted?

04:01:45Noted!

04:01:49Eh item 87 is Amendment of Tariff Charges for Electricity Services for 2025/26.

04:01:58The recommendations are on pages 87.12 to 87.13. Is the item noted?

04:02:05Noted!

04:02:06Item 88 is amendment of

04:02:09No!

04:02:13Now that no, I heard. I heard no.

04:02:27I'm going to repeat. Recommendations are on pages 87.12 to 87.13. Is the item noted?

04:02:35Noted!

04:02:41Uh item item 88 is Amendment of Tariff Charges for Water Services, Sewage and Sanitation Services for 2025/26.

04:02:52The recommendations are on pages 88.9 to 88 Councillors, we are still in council. The recommendation are on pages 88.9 to 88.10. Is the item noted?

04:03:09Noted!

04:03:12Item 89 is the Request for Approval of Proposed Waste Management Services Tariff for 2025/26 and Mid-Term Expenditure Framework.

04:03:22The recommendations are on pages 89.5 to 89.6. Is the item noted?

04:03:28Noted!

04:03:31Item 90 is the men Amendment of Tariffs of Charges uh for 2025/26 financial year, and that's for Land Development Applications, Building Plans Application, the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, Telecommunications Mast and Radio Mast in respect of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act and Policy and Miscellaneous Fees.

04:03:55And also Advertising Signs in terms of the City of Johannesburg Outdoor Advertising Bylaws, the Issuing of Certificates and Supply of Information by the Corporate Geo-Informatics Department, the Supply of Information Relating uh to the Municipal Planning Tribunal.

04:04:13The recommendations are on pages 90.5 to 90.7. Is the item noted?

04:04:19Noted!

04:04:20AfrikaansGenoteer.

04:04:23Okay. Uh Amendment of uh Passenger Fare Structure of uh Metropolitan Bus Services for the period 1st July 2025

04:04:35.7 is the item noted?

04:04:37Noted!

04:04:39Amendment of the Tariff Fare Charges for Rea Vaya BRT for the period 1st of July 2025 to the 30th of

04:04:49[inaudible] are on pages 92.9 to 92.10. Is the item noted?

04:04:54Noted!

04:04:56.5 to 93.6. Is the item noted?

04:05:0394 is the Request for Council Approval of Amendment of Tariffs of Charges for Air Quality Management Services in terms of the City of of 2021 uh for the period uh 1st July 2025 to June 2026.

04:05:22is the item agreed, is the item noted?

04:05:26Noted!

04:05:27Item 95

04:05:29pages 95.4 to 95.5. Is the item noted? .9 is the item noted?

04:05:35Noted!

04:05:36Item 97 is Sports Facilities, Recreation Centres and Swimming Pools.

04:05:42The recommendations are on pages 97.15 to 97.16. Is the item noted?

04:05:50Noted!

04:05:53Uh Item 98 is the Amendment of Tariff Charges for Emergency Management Services for 2025/26 financial year.

04:06:01The recommendations are on pages 98.4. Is the item noted?

04:06:07Noted!

04:06:09Item 99 is Amendment of in respect of Miscellaneous Traffic Related Services for 2025/26 financial year.

04:06:18The recommendation are on pages 99.4 to 99.5

04:06:28Item 100 is JOSHCO Tariff Proposal for the 2025/ financial year.

04:06:33The recommendations are on page 111. Is the item noted?

04:06:38Noted!

04:06:40Item 101 is Joburg Roads Agency sorry, Amendment of Tariff Charges for 2025/26 financial year.

04:06:48The recommendation on page 101.4. Is the item noted?

04:06:53Noted!

04:06:55Item 102 is Amendment of Tariff Charges for Cemeteries and uhm Crematorial Parks sorry Crematoria, Parks, Open Spaces, Nature Reserves and Zoo for the financial year 2025/26.

04:07:09The recommendation are on pages 102.6 to

04:07:13[inaudible] and Furnishing of Information, that's for Valuation Services for 2020 is the Amendment of Tariffs of Charges for the Issuing of Certificates and Furnishing of Information by the City of Johannesburg Legislature for 2025/26.

04:07:255.4 to 105.5 [inaudible]

04:07:29Noted!

04:07:32Uh Item 106 is Amendment of Tariff Charges uhm Dishonoured

04:07:36item noted?

04:07:37Noted!

04:07:39Item 107 is Amendment of Tariffs of Charges for the Delivery of Pre-Termination Notices for the 2025/26 financial year.

04:07:48The recommendation are on pages 107.3 to 107.4. Is the item noted?

04:07:54Noted!

04:07:56Item 108 is Amendment of Tariffs of Charges uh for the Delivery of Final Notices for the 2025/26 financial year.

04:08:04The recommendation are on pages 108.3 to 108.4. Is the item noted?

04:08:11Noted!

04:08:13109 requires authorization to engage the public the public on the 2025/26 uh Draft Rates Policy.

04:08:21The recommendation is on page 109.12. Is the item noted?

04:08:27Noted!

04:08:29And lastly item 1 uh 110, which is the Draft Determination of Property Rates Tariffs for the Tabling in 2025/26 financial year.

04:08:38The recommendations are on pages 110.10 to 110.15. Is the item noted?

04:08:46Noted!

Councillor Boer's Rule 35(2) request on Helen Botes' acting COO appointment

04:09:02Uh Councillors we proceed now with uh motions with the first motion recommending for the provision of ad

04:09:11Before you continue Secretary of Council. Councillor Boer.

04:09:19Sorry Madam Speaker, um I'm rising in terms of Rule 35(2) of the rules of council. And I've got a serious issue here Madam Speaker and allow me to speak about it. Last the last council meeting we inquired about the illegal appointment of Helen Botes as the acting COO of the City of Johannesburg, um and the MMC promised us that there will be a rep a report in councilclaim

04:09:45Councillor Boer,

04:09:48Councillor

04:09:49there will be a report in council in this month to ratify this decision.

04:09:53Councillor Boer, what item are you on? We moving to motions. I thought maybe you're going to say something related to what we just noted.

04:10:01You must submit a motion on that.

04:10:03But we can't talk about something else that

04:10:05Madam Speaker, I said I'm rising in terms of Rule 35(2) of the rules of council.

04:10:25Madam Speaker, can I continue?

04:10:29Please hold on Councillor Boer, Legal is going through the rule. Do you want to hear what he's saying? Okay, Councillor Boer, they want to hear what you are saying, what you want to say. Councillor Boer, they want to hear what you have to say.

04:10:42Thank you Madam Speaker. Um we were promised last month when we inquired about the illegal appointment of Helen Botes as a COO or the acting COO in the City of Johannesburg, that there will be a report presented to council in March to ratify this decision that was made by either the mayor or the mayoral committee or the Leader of Executive Business. We have still not seen this report. Uh this appointment was a illegal appointment

04:11:13Councillor Boer,

04:11:14and we need for this to be ratified. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

04:11:16Councillor Boer, I've been advised that the rule you are standing on has to do with quarterly reports and we are done. We are done with quarterly Councillor Boer, it's fine. It's fine. We are done with quarterly reports. We'll move on to motions.

04:11:39Councillor Zigebe.

04:11:42Um Speaker, just one one thing. On the items that we've just noted may we

04:11:54isiZuluAh, ah, Khansela Zigebe. Khansela Zigebe, no. Uyabasukela yabo? Ah.

04:12:02Councillor Echeozonjoku.

04:12:12Madam Speaker, [inaudible] I'd like to put on record the dissent of the DA.

Motion 1: water, sanitation and electricity in Doornkop Extension 4 (Ward 50), proposal and seconding

04:12:38Uh Councillors, we are on the first motion, which is recommending for the provision of adequate water, sanitation and electricity in uh Doornkop uh Extension 4 in Ward 50 in the City of Johannesburg.

04:12:55I would like to call the proposer, Councillor Mabunda.

04:13:06What's happening here? Thank you, Speaker. Thank you to the residents of City of Johannesburg. Greetings to our own members in the gallery. Thank you again to to colleagues. Speaker, I stand here today it's my birthday. Celebrate with me.

04:13:52Happy birthday to you. Hip, hip! Hooray!

04:14:04Yeah, uh thank you Speaker. Yeah, I rise to table the motion. Motion recommending for the provision of adequate water, sanitation, electricity in Doornkop Extension 4 in Ward 50 in City of Johannesburg. MMC of EISD in terms of rules in terms of Rule 89(2)(b) of Standing Rules and Order of Council of 2016.claim

04:14:35Noting that Doornkop Extension 4 Thabo Mbeki referred as the forgotten place. It's one of the oldest township in in in Soweto, City of Johannesburg [inaudible] today. Since the dawn of democracy, the people living in this community has had no access to a proper service delivery [inaudible] to live a normal life and dignified life has been stolen from them. No human [inaudible] as this is a direct violation of their basic human rights as in [inaudible] 26.claim

04:15:29These conditions are an insult to the people living in this community for the past 29 years with no access to a proper running water, sanitation, still using a bucket toilet system and no electricity. To add an insult to injury, informal settlement popping up over the places has a better access to these basic human rights than the forgotten people of Doornkop Extension 4.claim

04:16:04All this contribute to the high level of crime in the community such as rape, murder, house break-in, robbery, gender-based violence, and the constant abuse of women and children.claim

04:16:26He on the 18th of November 18th of October 2023, two children burned down in in the shack fire. One died and another barely survived in the hospital, but must live with this traumatic, deep-rooted scars inflicted to them by the government that has deprived them of their rights to have access to an adequate housing as per Section 26(1) read together with Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution of Republic of South Africa.

04:17:12We request the Council to resolve the following: In line with the mayoral priority, we request that the MMC of Environment [inaudible] Service conduct an urgent oversight [inaudible] Doornkop Extension 4, Ward 50 in Soweto, to initiate a process to restore the dignity for this forgotten community by: Number one,

04:17:44identify a challenge identify challenges mentioned above and draft an integral proposal approach on how these challenges can be best addressed. Develop an integral and and collaborative eh eh eh portfolio entity to implement implementation plan which communicate timelines within 60 to 90 days.

04:18:22Thank you, Speaker.

04:18:29Thank you, Councillor Mabunda, and a very happy birthday to you. Hope you have a blessed year ahead. Does the house support this motion?

04:18:41No!

04:18:51Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you.

04:19:01isiZuluYebo!

04:19:02The yeses have it.

04:19:08I'll move over to the seconder. Seconder, Councillor Bini. Councillor Bini, the seconder.

04:19:24I'd also like to wish a happy birthday to our regional secretary, Councillor Mabunda.

04:19:33isiXhosaEh Somlomo,

04:19:34I Councillor Lwando Bini, I hereby second the motion of the Doornkop. Thank you so much.

Motion 1: DA and ACDP debate on Doornkop motion

04:19:43Thank you, Councillor Bini. DA, Councillor Meyers.

04:19:49[inaudible] Extension 4, but as well as all 135 wards across the City of Johannesburg. However Madam Speaker, given the resolution [inaudible] collaborative implementation plan in the next 60 to 90 days, I must point out that this motion should not have been deemed, this motion should have been deemed inadmissible by the Programming Committee in terms of Rule 90 [inaudible] council.claim

04:20:14The motion is having financial implications and Section 15 of the Municipal Finance incur expenditure only in terms of the approved budgets. [inaudible] due to council when many of our motions were similar and were also rejected at programming. I must just point that out Madam [inaudible] Extension 4

04:20:34Councillors, let's hear him out, please.

04:20:38We are also concerned about the community of Doornkop [inaudible] an expectation that will only leave this community wanting. Madam Speaker, in conclusion I would also [inaudible] and also seeing as we're in the celebratory mood, can we congratulate the DA because uh we saw that in Cape Town, Banele Majingo has come across to the DA. He's the leader of the ANC in Cape Town. He is now with the Democratic Alliance.claim

04:21:13isiZuluNimthenge ngamalini?

04:21:17Good riddance to bad rubbish.

04:21:20Ah, ah! Ah! Councillors, we must be very mindful of the words we choose.

04:21:39Okay. I would like to call the next speaker from ACDP, Councillor Rohlssen.

04:21:48Uh thank you very much uh Madam Speaker. Uh greetings to you all in a in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Greetings to you Madam Speaker, greetings to you Executive Mayor in absentia, in uh

04:22:05Councillor Rohlssen, please hold on. Councillors, we are almost there, unless you want to go home at 7 o'clock, but we are almost there. Let's just push the last bit, finish, go home. Councillor Rohlssen.

04:22:20Uh greetings to you uh Madam Speaker, and greetings to you Executive Mayor in absentia. Greetings MMCs, honorable councillors, distinguished guests and residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, I rise on the motion recommending for the provision of adequate water, sanitation and electricity in Doornkop Extension 4 in Ward 50 in the City of Johannesburg.

04:22:49Madam Speaker, the ACDP shares the frustration of the residents of Doornkop Extension 4, Ward 50. The lack of service delivery that they are experiencing for 29 years is totally unacceptable, considering that the City of Johannesburg does have engineers and the experts to build that infrastructure. The ACDP echoes the call for urgent action to be taken to bring the necessary relief to the residents of Doornkop Extension 4 by way of electricity, water and sanitation. However,

04:23:23the the ACDP furthermore wishes to remind the city officials that it is not only Doornkop Extension 4 that is in urgent need of service delivery, but the greater Johannesburg area as a whole, where the deteriorating infrastructure is older than 50 years. The ACDP calls for urgent action to be taken to prevent our infrastructure from collapsing completely. Even the wealthier [inaudible] experienced water shortages for three days.

04:23:58The ACDP, but as it as it strongly feels that this this [inaudible] isolated incidents of focus. The focus should be on the whole of Johannesburg.

Motion 1: MMC Mabaso says the motion is inadmissible

04:24:17Thank you, Councillor Rohlssen. MMC Sekwaila is not here. MMC Mabaso.

04:24:34I'm representing all my neighbors today. should have been directed to Human Settlements, not uh EISD, um as presented on the motion. And I think that which have been

04:24:58But two Speaker, we we sympathize with the residents of the uh mentioned all of them are aware that the informal settlement is located on a land that is earmarked for a school. There was a petition Speaker that was submitted, and a response was provided that services cannot be provided because where the informal settlement is situated, the Department of Education wants to build a school.claim

04:25:38So, the matter is is with the provincial government. And if you look at Section 92, Subsection 3, it says if there is an issue in any of the spheres of government, the motion should not should not be admissible in Council. And and that's why we are we are requesting that the Legal must advise correct uh before submitting the motions to Council.

04:26:09So Speaker, it is a competency of council to provide services across, but it's not within our jurisdiction when it comes to this one. So, Subsection 5 also says if it's within the jurisdiction of council, and this one is not within our jurisdiction. So Speaker, we have engaged with the provincial government, so there are engagement and discussions around um the the intervention on the informal settlement.

04:26:42But I think it will not be correct for the council to give a mandate to the department to provide services there because it's not going to happen. By law we are prohibited to provide services in the informal settlement. But with all the interventions that we are putting in place with the provincial government, we'll engage with the residents, we'll engage with the leadership, we'll engage with the councillor, we'll then present to the leaders the interventions that we are going to deploy to make sure that they receive the services as required, but the motion cannot be passed in council. That will be unlawful of this council. Thank you.

04:27:46isiZuluKubi. Kubi ngempela.

Motion 1: proposer closes debate, point of order and vote

04:27:49I would like to call the proposer again to close the debate, Councillor Mabunda.

04:28:00Uh thank you very much, Speaker. I'm very much disappointed. I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm very much disappointed to to see that some councillors are pretending to be lawyers. Uh uh Speaker, Speaker, uh uh if if the land was earmarked for school, why why it takes 29 years? People are staying there, but they were never told anything.claimemotive

04:28:40This is a clear indication that the city and the province, they don't care about the people of Doornkop. Eh community of Doornkop are watching now. Community of Doornkop are here. Community of Doornkop, when today you go out of of this chamber, please know that there are certain people who are pretending to love you, political parties which are pretending to love you, but they don't love you. Uh Speaker, Speaker, Speaker, whyclaimemotive

04:29:23Councillors, let him close the debate.

04:29:26isiZuluMyekeni avale i-debate.emotive

04:29:30Speaker. Speaker, can I be protected?

04:29:37Councillors!emotive

04:29:42Uh Speaker, as we are still in the in the spirit of Human Rights, the Chair of Chairs just alluded that we must talk or fight for the better life of our residents in City of Johannesburg.

04:30:00nothing else. Thank you very much Chair of Chairs, thinking along that lines, I think I must start talking to you to join those who puts the residents first. Thank you very much. Speaker, Speaker, I'd like to urge this house of City of Johannesburg,

04:30:30those who cares about the residents to fight

04:30:38Councillor Mabunda, please wrap up.

04:30:41Okay, thank you very much, Speaker. I just want to say it is important for us to prioritize the benefit of the forgotten people of Ward 50.

04:30:53Councillor Mabunda, please hold on. Councillor Echeozonjoku?

04:31:00Madam Speaker, I know I wasn't given a chance to speak. I want to call on a point of order, Rule 72. I think it's important as councillors, Madam Speaker, that we do proper induction on the rules of council, because this is a problem. Clearly things are not happening properly there with regards to what is admissible and inadmissible to council. Then we don't have this emotional blackmail.

04:31:28Councillor Belinda, you are disturbing Councillor Mabunda in the middle of his speech to talk about this council chamber that you've been a councillor for how long. Councillor Mabunda, please continue and close.

04:31:41Thank you very much, Speaker. I think our councillor, she's disrespecting this house. Speaker, as ActionSA we are committed to stand up for and defend the rights of our community. Speaker, the community of Doornkop are watching right now. I'm asking this house, Speaker,emotive

04:32:13to approve this motion. I thank you.emotive

04:32:29Budget.

04:32:30Colleagues, money will come.

04:32:34Councillors, debates have been closed. All those It's his birthday today. Happy birthday, once again, RS. All those in support of this motion, please raise your hands.

04:33:52You must advise your people, Speaker.

04:34:01Colleagues, we don't have budget.

04:35:18Councillors, you can lower your hands. All those councillors against this motion, please raise your hands.

04:38:20Councillors, you can lower your hands. All those councillors that would like to abstain from this voting process, please raise your hands.

04:38:43You can lower your hands, councillors.

04:39:28Councillors, the results are as follows. Councillors who abstained is four. The yeses, 36. And all those against this motion, 142. Therefore, the motion does not pass.

Motions 2 and 3: Webber Street and Eyethu Mall link road withdrawn

04:40:12Councillors, we're proceeding with the second motion, which is recommending to the executive to fix and open Webber Street in Selby, Ward 124, in Region F, and allow the business operations to run smoothly.

04:40:29I would like to call the proposer for this motion, which is Councillor Mnyameni.

04:40:39isiXhosaEh thanks very much Somlomo eh ndiza wugawula ndiwakrukra ndizixele umkrwaqo wayo isidli ilifa eh mandibulise eh kuMeya umphathi dolophu noba engekho nje esaphumile ndibulise kuswepu umntana kamanzini

04:41:04isiXhosaeh ndilandele ngokubulisa kophetheyo oSihlalo boSihlalo umntwana

04:41:13the son of the hunter,

04:41:16isiXhosaeh Marema,

04:41:20let me greet you. Let me greet all the Chairpersons of Section 79

04:41:28isiXhosandibulise oMMC abahle ndilandele ngamaKhansela amaWard Councillors amahle asebenza nzima ndilandele

04:41:44with all the Councillors

04:41:46isiXhosangokwehlukana kwazo ngemisebenzi emihle abayenzayo ndibulise kuzo zonke i-leader i-leaders ze-opposition parties ezikhona noba ndiyambona nje uMrs u-Councillor Belinda akafuni undijonga.

04:42:04I greet you, all the political leaders that are present, political parties that are present in Council. Let me greet the officials that are here.

04:42:15isiXhosaEh andikubulisanga eh eh Nobhala weKhansela,

04:42:24then let me greet you. I think Speaker, I need to be protected, the respect it need, is important that Councillors must respect. If they're ill-disciplined, they must be taken into account. Thanks eh Speaker,

04:42:48You are protected, you are protected.

04:42:50I vehemently withdraw the motion. Thank you very much.

04:42:56Councillor Mnyameni, after that long introduction. Yo! Okay.

04:43:09We proceed with Motion 3, which is recommending that a feasibility study be conducted for the expansion of Link Road at Eyethu Mall in Orange Farm.

04:43:25I would like to call the proposer, which is Councillor Mokoka.

04:43:32Evening, Speaker. In the interest of time, I would really like to withdraw my motion.

04:43:52Progressive, very progressive. Progressive!

Announcements and closure of the meeting

04:44:01Councillors, we are now on announcements.

04:44:10Councillors, we are almost done. Please be reminded about the IDP session that will commence this Saturday. Please take active role in those sessions and encourage the communities in your respective wards to participate. We're starting in Region C.

04:44:31We're now on closure.

04:44:35Councillors, we have come to the end of our meeting. Thank you so much. We'll let you know of our date for the State of the City.

04:44:52Recess!

Point of order on religious symbols and provocation

04:45:42position as a chair of chairs.

04:45:46Councillors, I want to hear what she's saying.

04:45:51Councillor Echeozonjoku,

04:45:55please continue.

04:45:58We need to be very cautious that we don't become biased, that something works for one side of the house and it doesn't work for another side of the house, one. And not understanding religious symbols of different people, not countries. And we really need to be very careful. This is a democratic

04:46:25Councillor

04:46:26country and people can be expressing themselves in the religion that they want.

04:46:29Councillor Echeozonjoku,

04:46:31So I just wanted to put that on record. Thank you very much.

04:46:32it's noted. Councillor Echeozonjoku, it is noted. And remember, we touched on this yesterday. Letters has already been sent.

04:46:42We touched on this yesterday, councillors, and I'm still going to say this: we don't want to stifle any debate, but in the same spirit, we do not want to provoke each other.

04:46:55We do not want to provoke each other. We do not want to stifle debate in this house.

04:47:04Councillor Raphadu.

04:47:08Thank you very much for the opportunity, Madam Speaker. I thought you will caution this type of behavior, because the speaker had sat down. And if we allow people to make comments after the speaker has sat down, then we're going to have problems,

04:47:26Councillor Raphadu, I did the same for you yesterday. Councillor Raphadu, I'll remind you, I did the same for you yesterday, Councillor.

04:47:33No, Madam Speaker.

04:47:34I did the same for you yesterday.

04:47:36No, Madam Speaker. But I thought it's a new day.

04:47:39I even offended Councillor Mazibuko when I did the same for you, my respectful Councillor. Please take a seat so we continue with the business of the day. I did the same for you yesterday.

04:47:43It's a new day. It's a new day, Madam Speaker. It's a new day.

04:47:50They are clapping now.

04:47:51Please sit down.

04:47:52isiZuluSicela uhlale phansi, Khansela.

04:47:54Madam Speaker,

04:47:55isiZuluNgikwenzele into efanayo izolo baze bangishaya ngapha ngoba ngikwenzele kanjalo namhlanje.

04:48:00I'll respect Madam Speaker, it's fine, but it's a new day and we must do things differently. It's a new day.

04:48:08Ayi, Councillor Raphadu!

Section 79 committee report close and items 37 to 40

04:48:12Member in charge, acting member in charge, Councillor Ngoepe.

04:48:17Thank you, Speaker. I would like to thank

04:48:21Councillor Ngoepe, please hold on. Councillor Khanyile. Who is Councillor Khanyile?

04:48:26Where?

04:48:27isiZuluAngikuboni, Khansela,

04:48:29sorry.

04:48:31No, thanks very much, Madam Speaker. I think that before the member in charge can close the debate, I just want to quote one of the things that was said by the Chair of Chairs in regard with the ward committees that are complaining with that R1,000. We feel that now ward councillors can make a huge difference with that R1,000 that they're going to deduct from the councillors

04:48:51Eh, Councillor. Councillor Khanyile. Ah, Councillor, no.

04:48:57so that they're going to able to do that. Remember that now when the

04:48:58Councillor, you're not in the speaker's list. Councillor Khanyile, you are not in the speaker's list,

04:49:03isiZuluhhayi.

04:49:03But remember, Speaker, Madam Speaker,

04:49:04Uh-uh, Councillor Khanyile, you are not in the speaker's list.

04:49:07isiZuluHawu ngeke, Khansela Khanyile, waze wangiphoqa bo. Hawu ngeke.

04:49:13isiZuluHhayi, wangiphoqa ngempela. Hha-ah.

04:49:19isiZuluUwena. Uwena, Khansela Raphadu, uwena.

04:49:26Acting member in charge, Councillor Ngoepe.

04:49:31Thank you, thank you, Speaker. I'd like to thank the researchers, the coordinators and Section 79 Committee. As well as, before I sit down, Speaker, I'd like to thank the MMC, Kenny Kunene, for responding promptly yesterday with the flooded house in Ward 92. As well as I'd like to thank the Executive Mayorclaim

04:50:01and MMC Mabaso for delivering the title deed for the Greater Ivory Park residents. As I sit down, Speaker, I'd like Council to note and approve the report. Thank you.claim

04:50:24Speaker, one more thing, Speaker. Sorry, sorry. I'd like to wish our Chair, Ponsonby, a speedy recovery. Thank you.

04:50:37Thank you, acting member in charge. Councillors, the recommendations are on pages 37.9 and 38.10. Recommendation for Item 39 and Item 40, the recommendations are on page 39.3 and 40.6. Are the items agreed to?

04:50:56Thank you, councillors.

Items 41 to 44: oversight visit reports

04:51:03Councillors, we proceed with Item 41, and that's the joint oversight visit by the Section 79 Oversight Committee on Development Planning and Transport to Orange Farm Public Transport Facility on the 8th of November 2024.

04:51:19Also moving to Item 42, which is the joint oversight visit by the Section 79 Oversight Committee on Development Planning and Transport to Orange Farm Stormwater Management on the 8th of November 2024.

04:51:35Also Item 43 is also a joint oversight visit by the Section 79 Oversight Committee on Governance, Finance, and Municipal Public Accounts and Transport to Lilian Ngoyi Street, which was formerly called Bree Street, on the 22nd of November 2024. And lastly, Item 44, which is an oversight visit report of the Section 79 Finance Committee to Randburg Revenue Centre on the 24th of January 2025.

04:52:10Thank you, Secretary of Council. The different Whips from all the different political parties agreed that there will be no speakers. I'll just read the recommendations.

04:52:20The recommendations are on pages 41.7, 42.5 to 42.6, 43.7, 44.8. Are the items agreed to?

04:52:35Thank you, councillors.

Item 45: SCM acquisition status report, Oct-Dec 2024

04:52:40We move to Item 45, which is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Acquisition Status Report reflecting bids considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period of 1st October 2024 to 31st December 2024.

04:52:57The first speaker for this item is from the DA, Councillor Pietersen.

04:53:03Thank you, Speaker. My time starts now, I take it.

04:53:12I stand before you for Item 45, being the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Acquisition Status Report reflecting bids considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period 1st of October 2024 to 31st of December 2024, Speaker. I start off to say that dark clouds have descended over Johannesburg. That is a metaphor, not a weather report.claim

04:53:41Some of us may remember the movie Groundhog Day, and coincidentally, my Whip from the committee used the same analogy. I'd just like to go a little bit deeper into it. This is a film from 1993 starring Bill Murray. Quite a funny film, some of you may remember it. And he was playing the character Phil Connors, who is a cynical weatherman trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day, February the 2nd, over and over againclaim

04:54:11in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Initially frustrated, Phil uses the loop for personal gain. But he eventually grows tired of its emptiness. Over time, he learns to improve himself and help others and embrace kindness and humility. His transformation ultimately breaks the cycle.claim

04:54:37This item feels like Groundhog Day because at least one of the items is appearing here again, and again, it was not served to the Finance Committee before appearing here. So once again, I must raise my concerns in the chamber as opposed to in the committee.claim

04:54:54In most of the committees, councillors from all sides of this chamber have expressed their concern for Johannesburg, a need for urgent measures to be implemented to arrest the decay. I hope one day this chamber will put our residents and the city first and use our vote wisely.claim

04:55:12On Annexure A of tabled Item 45, there is a table indicating what appears to be a duplication of the stationery supply item that was noted on the 30th of January in this chamber, 2025. The contract number is the same, the suppliers are the same, so is the description and the amount, being R45 million. This is R45 million for the supply, delivery, and offloading of stationery stock items to the cityclaim

04:55:44for a period of three years on an as-and-when basis.

04:55:51A duplication of this is what we should expect every quarter, and then this implies that Core, and not the city, is spending in the region of R180 million per year on stationery. To put that into perspective, this is R570,000 a day on paper, pens, pencils, and paperclips. Speaker, through you, if the MMC knows what we are doing with all this stationery, please let the Council know in your response.claim

04:56:20Let us assume that we are buying paper to put these numbers into perspective. A box of paper from Makro costs R389. R570,000 a day works out to 1,464 boxes of paper every day, each containing five reams, each ream 500 sheets of paper. This works out to 3,660,000 sheets of paper every day.

04:56:48So on one hand, we are budgeting to use 80 million sheets of paper per month, no exaggeration, and on the other hand, we are spending well over a billion rand on Azure, SAP, and support to go paperless. Please help me understand what all this paper is being used for.

04:57:05Section 55 of the Systems Act indicates that as head of administration, the Municipal Manager of a municipality is subject to the policy direction of the Municipal Council, and is responsible and accountable for the formation and development of an economical, effective, efficient, and accountable administration that is equipped for the implementation of the IDP, municipal performance system, and respond to the needs of local communities. So all of us, from the legislature, the executive, and officials, are responsible and accountable.

04:57:41The date that the Executive Adjudication Committee approved this contract was 16 months after the closing date. I take this as further confirmation that this is a contract that is being automatically renewed each quarter, as it is a three-year contract. This was not self-evident in the report, but given that we have seen this in January and again today, one can extrapolate that the 36 bidders have effectively scored a lucrative deal worth R540 million to deliver and offload stationery stock

04:58:12items for three years on an as-and-when required basis. Please help us understand, if there's not much as-and-when, for example during December, are we still paying that 45 mil? If this is the case, now more than ever, I'm recommending to the Mayor and the City Manager to make the bid specification documents available to Council to interrogate before the ratepayer money is spent on as-and-when. I conclude.

04:58:41In reflecting on the recurring challenges within the city's supply chain management, it is impossible to ignore the parallels to Groundhog Day. The persistent appearance of certain items, like the stationery supply contract, raises serious concerns about questionable spending practices, such as the allocation of the R180 million annually for stationery, while simultaneously investing heavily in paperless systems like Azure and SAP. These inefficiencies underscore the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the tender

04:59:11process. It is imperative that the administration takes decisive action to revise the Supply Chain Management Policy, addressing these shortcomings to ensure ratepayer funds are used effectively. Strengthening oversight mechanisms is crucial to fostering fiscal responsibility and delivering better outcomes for the residents of Johannesburg. Unfortunately, given the lack of change since I last raised my concern in January, the Democratic Alliance calls on the voter to give the City of Johannesburg any hope.

04:59:41The Democratic Alliance notes this report with concern. Thank you.

04:59:48Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

04:59:56Good morning again, Madam Speaker. I'm rising on Item 45, the acquisition report for Supply Chain Management. And I want to start this morning with an actual story that is not a story, it's a fact. Last year this time, when the Freedom Front was campaigning in Region B, Fairland, Northcliff area, it was about peak time traffic on a weekday afternoon,claim

05:00:25when a car stopped at our point, a car which is probably valued much more than my residential property is valued. And a very nice man, a black man, walked out of the car and he started to chat to us. And we had a long chat, and he said he will forever put his votes to the ANC, because he said, "The City of Johannesburg made me stinking rich." And he was an attorney. He's probably one of the attorneys that is part of the R400 million debt collectionclaim

05:00:59panel. Madam Speaker, I rise on this acquisition Supply Chain Management in the City of Johannesburg. It is probably one of the darkest departments. We don't know what is going on there. But what is very strange here in this report, it seems to me that Core only awarded four tenders in Quarter 2. Now, if you look at the KPIs of Group Finance,claim

05:01:24the average number of days from advertising to awarding a tender on an 80/20 procurement process is 641 days. That is roughly two years. And that is on an 80/20 procurement process. I assume those processes here are the 90/10 process, so they should even take longer. The target is 90 days, and we're doing those awards here in 641 days.claim

05:01:56So I don't know how we're going to get to this. And then you see on this report the B-BBEE levels. Now, remember, councillors, this first tender that was awarded was for the provision of supply, delivery, and offloading of stationery stock items.

05:02:19The bidders were, and I'm going to read the name of the bidders: Tjonko Cleaning Services, they bid for stationery. Joman Construction and Projects, they bid for stationery. Kunkumusu Training and Projects, they bid for stationery. Maduma Civil Works, they also bid for stationery. Makulu Library Furniture Manufacturers, they also bid for the stationery award.

05:02:51Rems Mams Construction and Projects, they also want to bid for the stationery. And I can carry on. Tumamania Hygiene Food and Security Solutions, they also want to supply stationery. And then we can carry on, Thwala Son

05:03:0730 seconds remaining.

05:03:08Construction and Projects, they also bid for stationery. Madam Speaker, I want to stand up in Council and say our residents are not wanting BEE appointments. They do not want tenderpreneurs using and misusing the city's money. Our residents want efficient service at an efficient and a realistic price. There's a song in English that says, "It is time to say goodbye." Madam Speaker, it is time to say goodbye to BEE and B-BBEE and tenderpreneurs, and get the work done efficiently. Thank you very much.

05:03:51Thank you, Councillor Boer. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

05:04:01isiZuluNgibonge, Speaker. Bengizoqhubeka ngesikaMageba kodwa ngithe ake ngize nganeno futhi, bazongizwa abanye.

05:04:13All protocol observed. Madam Speaker, I rise on Item 45. Madam Speaker, the city needs to move away from storing items in various stores and move towards the direct supply of stationery to entities through the service providers. Many issues relating to dead stock and supply chain mismanagement were picked up by the Section 79 Finance Committee during our oversight visit to Smit and Main Reef stores. Paper stock had to be thrown into a cage outside to make way for obsolete printer cartridges that are sitting inside the main building at Smit Street. This is just one example of poor mismanagement and non-adherence to asset disposal policy.claim

05:04:57The issue of the red fleet has been ongoing for a while now, with the GCSS having dropped the ball unceremoniously and rendering the city helpless to disasters such as fire and flooding. We welcome the long-awaited procurement of the specialized red fleet, as this will assist the city to respond timeously to disasters and ultimately save lives of hundreds, if not thousands. In as far as the appointment of the service provider for short-term motor and non-motor insurance is concerned, we hope and pray that we won't hear any stories about how the service provider was not paid, or how the contract had expired before someone could pick up the contract end date, thus creating a delay in the appointment of a new service provider. I hope that we will manage our risk better and that we will not find ourselves as a city in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

05:05:48TshivendaNdo livhuwa, Speaker.

05:05:55Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. EFF, Councillor Nethamba.

05:06:03Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to the Caucus Leader of the EFF in his absentia, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku. Greetings to the Chief Whip of the EFF, Thabiso Mogapi. Not forgetting the 29 battalion of the EFF. And greetings to the people in the gallery,

05:06:29the community watching us at home. The EFF, since its formation, made it clear even in our founding manifesto that we are for abolishment of the tendering system. Cardinal Pillar Number 3 speaks on building the state and government capacity, which will lead to the abolishment of tenders. We believe that the tendering system does not benefit the masses, but the few entrepreneurs that milkclaim

05:06:59the city dry of its limited resources through inflated prices they charge. An example is the over 30 companies that have been appointed for stationery, and the value of the tender is R45 million, that the city would have saved a large amount of it and still have the required stationery. The appointment of a service provider to supply and deliver specialized fire and rescue vehicles for the city

05:07:31could have created job opportunities for the citizens, instead of being given to a company that the city does not verify if the work has been done to acceptable standard. This is one example of service that must be in-house service. The department only concerns themselves with just an invoice. Who then looks into the delivery of the product or service and the verification of the work done? Once the tender is awarded, life goes on.

05:08:06It is for this reason that we have the city full of potholes, traffic lights that are not working, and etc., because the tendering system is just a get-rich-quick scheme in the name of the service delivery for our people. We hope our people vote for the party that will change this phenomenon and create jobs for everyone. Johannesburg, please vote for EFF. Thank you.

05:08:39Thank you, Councillor. ANC, Councillor Nofemela.

05:08:47Thank you, Speaker, and greetings to you. Greetings to the Executive Mayor, the Whip of Council, the ANC Caucus, fellow councillors. Greetings once more to the members in the gallery and the 6 million-plus residents of the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 45.

05:09:12Speaker, as the ANC, we have looked into the report and analyzed it closely, and we are satisfied that nothing untoward can be identified or picked up. So it is very clear that the Evaluation Committee and the respective Adjudication Committee are executing their task according to the relevant precepts governing the bidding processes. Speaker, as the ANC, we note the report. Thank you.

05:09:45Thank you, Councillor. MMC Arnolds.

05:09:50Thank you once again, Madam Speaker, and greetings to everybody in the house and those in the gallery. Madam Speaker,

05:10:08this report is in compliance with the MFMA and Supply Chain Management Regulations, and this report ensures that Council's continued oversight of the city's procurement process. I'm not going to name the councillors that spoke, but I also want to say that we don't only buy paper and we don't only buy pens, we also do buy cartridgesclaim

05:10:39and anything that's stationery. It's also a three-year contract with a maximum value of R45 million. And Councillor Boer, that is why we are going with fast procuring. Even though SCM is the custodian of procurement, it is actually the departments and the entities that make up the bid committees.claim

05:11:11We cannot dictate who applies. We cannot dictate who applies for the tenders. That is illegal. Whether the names are cleaning services, whether the names are construction services, we can't dictate to them. Madam Speaker, the report outlines bids between October and December 2024 by the Central and Executive Adjudication Committees. All awards were made in line with legislation and procurement frameworks, with budget approvals in place. The report affirms the city's commitment to fair, transparent, and cost-effective procurement. I commend the Group Finance and Supply Chain teams for their professionalism.claim

05:12:10I recommend that Council notes the report and support the steps taken to ensure transparency and good governance. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

05:12:24Thank you, MMC Arnolds. The recommendations are on page 45.3. Is the item agreed to?

05:12:35Thank you, councillors.

Item 46: SCM deviation and ratification reports

05:12:39We now move to Item 46, and that's the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management EAC Deviation and Ratification Reports that were considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period October 2024 to December 2024.

05:12:55The first speaker is Councillor Pietersen from the DA.

05:13:01Thank you, Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the highlights from our recent deviations, ratifications, contract amendments, and procurement reports for the period 1st of October to 31st of December 2024. While the Accounting Officer has approved these items, it is important to note that they have not yet been tabled before the Finance Committee, as usual. Without this crucial review, we cannot truly ascertain if our ratepayers are receiving genuine value or if our services align with the community needs. There is the risk that we are being led without full oversight.claim

05:13:40Consider this specific deviation: we have requested an exception to standard procurement to engage SAP Systems for SAP RISE services at a project value of R268,657,700. This initiative comes on top of the additional 24-month contract awarded to Baraka IT Solutions, which we discussed in our extraordinary Council meeting of the 13th of March 2025. To put this into a broader perspective:claim

05:14:11Baraka IT Solutions, R935 million over five years; SAP SA for SAP RISE, R269 million; Microsoft for Azure, R750 million. And I'm sure there are other contracts, but those are just ones that came off the top of my head that we've passed recently. These commitments total nearly R2 billion. When distributed, this amounts to about R85,000 per employee across 25,000 licenses, I assume, because we're not given those kinds of details, so we need to do a lot of thumb-sucking here.claim

05:14:49In reference to a response about transparency, it is essential that we know exactly how many licenses are deployed, their locations throughout the city, and the login rates per department. This is the only way that we as the legislature can exercise effective oversight. This information is key to determining whether our spending is delivering the promised services and if we are indeed getting value for money.claim

05:15:23And I now hear yesterday in this house that R50 million was paid for JPC staff's computer training. So we can add that to the IT spend. I think even Google's eyes would weep at the amount we spend on IT. Costs on this level do not make sense, even in a largeclaim

05:15:42organization such as the City of Johannesburg. These costs reveal an administration that claims to attain good governance, financial sustainability, and sustainable service delivery. These numbers point to mismanagement, inefficiency, and ineffective service provision. I appeal to the executive and to all my colleagues, let us secure the necessary transparency and accountability. We must review these details thoroughly, especially before considering any proposals to increase residents' rates and taxes byclaim

05:16:1236%, as we did in the last budget. Our collective oversight is meant to ensure that taxpayer money is used efficiently. And before the MMC comes back and responds that, oh no, we only raised half a percent here and 2% there and whatnot. On average, with all of the administrative costs, it does come to 36%. That is how much residents are paying today as opposed to the previous year.claim

05:16:42So let's deal with facts and not hide it under red herrings. Our collective oversight is meant to ensure that taxpayers' money is used efficiently and, more importantly, that every Johannesburg citizen receives the full benefit of our investments. The Democratic Alliance notes this report. Thank you.

05:17:07Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

05:17:15isiZuluNgibonge Mvelase.

05:17:19All protocol observed. I rise to speak on Item 46,

05:17:25isiZuluSomlomo.

05:17:26Normally, I would be up in arms about this report. However, because this report speaks to the expedition of mSCOA, which we as ActionSA have been very vocal about, ActionSA welcomes the procurement of SAP RISE.

05:17:42The report also prioritizes the upskilling of support staff and councillors through the appointment of Wits School of Governance. We welcome that. The Transport Department will also benefit from the expertise of CSIR through the provision of technical support services. This deviation echoes ActionSA's policy on the professionalization of public service. We cannot continue to appoint clueless service providers who leave the city in all sorts of financial problems

05:18:12and Lilian Ngoyi is a perfect example. ActionSA notes and approves this report.

05:18:18AfrikaansBaie dankie.

05:18:23Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

05:18:30Greetings to the Speaker, to the EFF MMCs, to MMCs, to the EFF Chief Whip and all councillors. I rise on Item 46,

05:18:42Group Strategic Supply Chain Management, EAC deviation and ratification reports that were considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period October 2024 to December 2024. The EFF noted that the Finance and Group Legal and Contracts Departments were consulted when drafting this report. The deviations and ratification reports approved by the Accounting Officer had budget provisions and also no deviation was approved without the approved budget provision. The EFF notes the report. Thank you.claim

05:19:16Thank you, Councillor. ANC, Councillor Nofemela.

05:19:33Councillor Nhlapo, please switch off your mic.

05:19:37Thank you once more, Speaker, and greetings to you, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Whip of Council, ANC caucus and fellow councillors. Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 46. Speaker, Regulation 36(1)(a) allows the Accounting Officer to deviate from the normal procurement processes which are in an emergency, if goods or services are available from a single supplier,

05:20:09if goods acquired are special works of art, if it's for animals for zoo, or in any other way wherein it's impossible to follow official procurement processes. So it is worth noting that all the deviations which were done had the budget provisions under their respective votes. The procurement processes are fragile by nature, so it's necessary for the department to see to it that the law and relevant

05:20:39regulations are followed to avoid adverse findings by the Auditor-General like irregular expenditure. Speaker, as the ANC, we note the report.

05:20:54Thank you, Councillor Nofemela. MMC Arnolds.

05:21:02Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I think in his opening remarks, the Chair of Chair was saying how happy he is about the Section 71 reports that are now seemingly flowing and that it looks like we are getting to a point of complying with Section 71,

05:21:28but I also know that the MFMA states that it comes straight to Council, but we have spoken to Section 79 on how we will deal with it. I had a conversation with her. Oh, she's not around, with the Chairperson of the Section 79 and she was in full agreement. Madam Speaker, getting back to the report, Regulation 36 allows deviations from standard procurement processes

05:21:58in exceptional circumstances such as emergency, single supplier availability, or technical issues of a minor nature. All approvals were compliant with the SCM policy and the budget availability. The deviations will be included in the notes in the city's annual financial statements in line with Regulations 36(2). This report will also be made public in accordance with Section 21A

05:22:28of the Municipal Systems Act. We recommend that the Council notes the content of the deviation and ratification report and its annexures, that the approved deviations be formally recorded in the annual financial statements as required. These deviations reflect necessary exceptions to ensure continuity of service delivery and operational efficiency, while remaining

05:22:59accountable to Council and the public. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

05:23:07Thank you, MMC Arnolds. The recommendations are on page 46.3. Is the item agreed to? Thank you, councillors.

Item 47: SCM operational status report

05:23:19Item 47 is Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Status Report for the period of 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024.

05:23:32Councillor Pietersen from the DA.

05:23:36Thank you, Chair. Item 47, Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Status Report for 1 October to 31 December. In reviewing our purchasing and inventory data for this period, we see a mixed picture that demands our urgent attention. In the second quarter alone, direct purchases within our core operations, not the whole city, reached an astonishing R1 billion and something, pushing the year-to-date total to over R2 billion, almost R2.2 billion.claim

05:24:07Equally significant, our stock purchases covering replenishable items totaled R10 million for the quarter and R13.3 million for year to date. Our stores and inventory management figures, as at 31 December, indicate a held stock value of R111,526,590.79, with 156,299 items issued,claim

05:24:36worth just over R13 million, and 105,000 items received, valued at R10 million, all while no stock write-offs occurred during this quarter. That in itself is troubling. If our stock management, supply chain management is in such order, why are we not writing off stock as and when? However, these impressive figures on one hand mask concerning trends. Take, for instance, the situation at Smit Street.claim

05:25:06It is inexplicable that the city continues to store and issue enormous quantities of ink cartridges, 76,000 items valued at R8 million, averaging roughly R100 per item. The details of these issuances remain opaque, which prevents us from confirming if these high-value items are being properly allocated to their rightful departments. In stark contrast, Main Street, a facility serving basic cleaning supplies like toilet rolls and detergents, issued only 18,000 itemsclaim

05:25:37in the same period. This imbalance, where nearly four times more stationery items are handled compared to essential cleaning materials, raises serious governance questions. It is imperative that we secure transparency and accountability in our procurement and distribution processes. After all, we are paying a fortune for the SAP system. It should be able to give us a detailed report. That's why we pay the big bucks for SAP. We must insist on thorough reportsclaim

05:26:07from the Group Audit Committee, reassuring us that all aspects of these transactions are subject to rigorous oversight. Rigorous oversight, not the bare minimums of what the MFMA allows. We're here to do a job, not just to meet the absolute bare minimum of MFMA and tick a box. Our commitment must be to protect the interest of our ratepayers and citizens, ensuring that every rand spent is justified and aligned with our long-term service delivery goals. Let us call for an immediate review of our currentclaim

05:26:37supply chain practices and the SCM policy, not only to address these discrepancies, but to also foster efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and robust public accountability. This conclusion emphasizes the impressive scale of our procurement activities, while also casting a critical eye on emerging discrepancies and the need for enhanced oversight. It ties the numerical data with trends observed in our facilities, inviting decisive action to safeguardclaim

05:27:07communities' interests. Cancelled bids for the period 1 October to 31 December. One of the bids cancelled during the fourth quarter was for the provision of pesticides and application equipment for the Health Department. The bid was declared non-responsive as none of the submissions met the required criteria. Unfortunately, this cancellation has significant implications for service delivery. As per the Constitution, it is our responsibility to promote a safe and healthy environment. Without this contract,claim

05:27:37the Environmental Health unit cannot effectively provide pest control services, which poses a risk to public health. The lack of vector control services could result in an increase in complaints and compromise the well-being of our residents. Adding to this concern, there is currently an ongoing mango fly infestation in Pretoria North, which presents a serious threat to Johannesburg. Mango flies are known to cause serious cutaneous myiasis, a condition where their larvae burrow into the skin of humans and animals,claim

05:28:07leading to painful infections. Without adequate pest control measures, this infestation could spread to Johannesburg, endangering both public health and the safety of our pets. We must address these challenges to ensure sustainable and efficient service delivery that meets and needs our communities. In Annexure E of this item, contracts due to expire within a period of 12 months. The concern is, the list as per Annexure E indicates the contracts will be expiringclaim

05:28:37in 12 months. This is actually a very positive thing. The purpose of the reminder is to inform the departments to commence with the bidding process for renewal of contracts timeously. There are 18 contracts and established panels of service providers that are due to expire in the next 12 months. That is the period between 1 January to December 2025. So I do want to use this opportunity to implore the heads of departments to be sensitized to the availability

05:29:07of this information and to check their mailboxes to eliminate deviations from the normal procurement process and thus avoid those pesky Section 36s. I once again also ask councillors in this house to pay attention to Annexure E and put the respective items onto your committee agendas and thereby reduce the number of Section 36s which the Auditor-General will appreciate. The Democratic Alliance notes the report. Thank you.

05:29:37Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

05:29:46isiZuluNgibonge Mvelase.

05:29:48Greetings to all councillors, all protocol observed. Speaker, I won't labour much on the stock values, as Councillor Niren has already gone on about that, and I've already spoken to this item and made my recommendations in Item 45. Of great concern is the issue of

05:30:14GT rank, which much like the Metro Centre, faces the risk of becoming a white elephant if the city does not appoint a credible and reputable service provider to manage and oversee its administrative functions. If JPC was not as hopeless as it is, I would have asked why the GT project has not been handed over to JPC,

05:30:43Councillor Nkonyeni, please hold on. Councillor De Lange.

05:30:49Madam Speaker, on a point of order, just in context, I thought we were not allowed to refer to animals in this chamber. So I don't know how to handle that specific one, Madam Speaker.

05:31:03You can't refer to any fellow councillor as anything apart from being a human being. Any councillor in this house will not be referred to, etc., animals and so forth. Councillor De Lange, you are being naughty. Councillor Nkonyeni, you can continue.

05:31:28isiZuluNgibonge, Speaker. Hawu, wasimoshela isikhathi bo.

05:31:33Speaker, if JPC was not as hopeless as it is, I would have asked why the GT project has not been handed over to JPC. But the less said about JPC, the better. ActionSA would like to know what is the turnaround strategy for JPC, and why is the city ignoring the fact that JPC is a liability? The mere fact that JPC cannot be trusted with the management of GT speaks for itself.

05:31:59As we approach the end of Quarter 3, we hope that all bids and pending adjudications and finalization have since been closed for the betterment and sake of service delivery. As ActionSA, we call for the city to be more efficient and to act timeously in ensuring that residents do not suffer while the city drags its feet. And we plead with residents of this once great city to make the right choice at the polls come 2026. Only Action

05:32:29can fix Johannesburg.

05:32:30SesothoKe a leboha.emotive

05:32:35Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

05:32:42Greetings, Speaker, once more. I rise on Item 47. The report is compiled in compliance, and we also note that all departments were consulted. We also note that it will also be communicated on the Council website in terms of the Regulation 6(4) of the Supply Chain Management Regulations, issued in terms of the MFMA. The EFF notes the report.

05:33:08isiZuluSiyabonga,

05:33:09Councillor Nhlapo. ANC, Councillor Nofemela.

05:33:16Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 47. Speaker, the total value of all purchases ordered for the second quarter was approximately R1 billion and shows R2.1 billion year to date. So it goes without saying that financial management is key in order to keep the city's operations ongoing. As the ANC, we believe that without the viable financialclaim

05:33:46resources, the city's service delivery will be negatively impacted, thus affecting the living conditions of the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Therefore, we call on all the authorities and stakeholders to encourage the residents of the city to pay their municipal accounts. Speaker, as the ANC, we note the report. I thank you.

05:34:12Thank you, Councillor Nofemela. MMC Arnolds.

05:34:18Thank you, Speaker. Thank you so much, Councillor Nofemela, for also asking residents and business and everybody to pay their municipal accounts. It will make things easier for the city. It's all net blue. As councillors, we should know that stock write-offs are based on

05:34:47accounting principles and expiry dates. Madam Speaker, I would like to present the GSSCM Operational Status Report for the period 1 October to 31 December 2024. This report provides statistical and operational insight into procurement activities

05:35:17across key departments and reaffirms our commitment to good governance, financial sustainability, and efficient service delivery. All procurement processes complied with the MFMA, the SCM Regulations, Preferential Procurement Regulations, and the city's own SCM policy, in line with Regulation 6(4), which requires

05:35:48transparency in supply chain decisions. The report will be published on the city's website for public access. I recommend that Council notes the contents of the report and its Annexures A to F, and that the Group Head GSSCM ensures the report is made publicly available. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

05:36:14Thank you, MMC Arnolds. The recommendations are on page 47.4. Is the item agreed to? Thank you, councillors.

Item 48: MFMA in-year report to 31 October 2024

05:36:28We proceed now with Item 48, and that is the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31 October 2024.

05:36:40I'll start with Councillor Masuku from ActionSA.

05:36:48Thank you, Speaker. ActionSA note the report.

05:36:56Thank you, Councillor Masuku. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

05:37:08Greetings, Speaker. The EFF notes the report.

05:37:15isiZuluSiyabonga,

05:37:16Councillor Nhlapo. ANC, Councillor Maswazi.

05:37:24Yeah, thank you, Speaker. I'm under pressure that I must also note this report. But let me just say that we are happy and encouraged as the ANC that at least these Section 71 reports are now being submitted. It is important because this complies with Section 71 of the Municipal Finance Management Act of 2003, and we are saying that we are happy that this will be consistent and we'll keep on getting them. Thank you.

05:37:57Thank you, Councillor Maswazi, and welcome to the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg. I would like to call MMC Arnolds.

05:38:22Good afternoon to the Executive Mayor. Good afternoon, Speaker, once again. Madam Speaker, today we present four Section 71 reports covering October 2024 to January 2025. This brings us up to date, with the February 2025 report currently moving through the committee process. I'm sure Councillor Santanaclaim

05:38:52would be pleased with this progress. Madam Speaker, year-to-date revenue was 5% above budget, R1.4 billion, largely due to early receipt of major grants such as the USDG, Informal Settlement Upgrade, and Equitable Share. These are paid in tranches per the DoRA schedule, but budgeted evenly over the year. Operating expenditure was under budgetclaim

05:39:22by less than 1%, R398 million, resulting in an actual operating deficit of R104 million against a budgeted deficit of R1.8 billion. Of the R7.4 billion approved capital budget, R1.3 billion, 17%, has been spent to date. Cash and investments: cash balances declinedclaim

05:39:52from R2.6 billion to R2.3 billion, a drop of R335 million. Liquidity: Standard Bank short-term facility was repaid in October 2024 to manage liquidity. The billing collection: R5.8 billion was billed in September, with R5.3 billion collected in October,claim

05:40:2291.5% collection rate. The year-to-date collections are 88%, which is below target and poses a cash flow risk. Enhancing collection efforts are therefore critical. Madam Speaker, I would ask this house to note the report. I thank you.claim

05:40:48Thank you, MMC Arnolds. Does Council note this report? Thank you, councillors.

Item 49: MFMA in-year report to 30 November 2024

05:40:57We're now on Item 49, and that's another City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 30 November 2024.

05:41:08ActionSA, Councillor Masuku.

05:41:12Thank you, Madam Speaker. ActionSA note the report.

05:41:20Thank you, Councillor Masuku. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

05:41:31Greetings to the Speaker once more and the house. I rise on Item 49. Just a reminder, the EFF still stresses on this building state and government capacity, which will lead to the abolishment of tenders. We note the report.

05:41:51Thank you, Councillor Nhlapo. ANC, Councillor Maswazi.

05:41:56Greetings again, Speaker. The ANC would like to note the report. Thank you.

05:42:03Thank you, Councillor Maswazi. MMC Arnolds.

05:42:12Madam Speaker, I'm being threatened. I would ask that this house notes the report. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

05:42:27Oh, thank you, MMC Arnolds. Does Council or the house note this report? Thank you, councillors.

Item 50: MFMA in-year report to 31 December 2024

05:42:37Item 50 is the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31 December 2024.

05:42:46DA, Councillor Santana.

05:42:49Thank you, Speaker. I rise to speak on Item 50, the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31 December 2024. You see, Madam Speaker, this is when we put the cart before the horse. We've just done the quarterly reports, and now we're doing the MFMA reports. It should have been the MFMA reports, then the quarterly reports, and then our adjustment budget. Not opposite. We confuse our residents, and we actually show that we don't know what we're doing as Council

05:43:19because we should have had all these reports prior to the adjustment budget. And hence why I keep on complaining and asking you to fulfill your role as the Speaker of Council and ensure we get our reports in time. I thank you. We note the report.

05:43:40Thank you, Councillor Santana. ActionSA, Councillor Masuku.

05:43:46Madam Speaker, ActionSA note the report.

05:43:54Thank you, Councillor Masuku. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

05:44:00Thank you, Speaker. The EFF notes the report.

05:44:05Hey, we are just noting today. ANC, Councillor Maswazi.

05:44:13Thank you, Speaker. The ANC notes the report. Thank you.

05:44:20Thank you, Councillor Maswazi. MMC Arnolds.

05:44:26Madam Speaker, I don't know why Councillor Santana tries to provoke me all the time. I bought a blue pen, I bought a blue outfit, I bought a blue glass. Other councillors have just taken it to see what it looks like. I even bought this in blue, I even have my diary in blue. I thought I would be making it all blue today.

05:44:56Unfortunately, I'm not popular. Speaker, the city's finances remain stable. Revenue performance continues to exceed the expectations, while expenditure remains within acceptable limits. This has resulted in a positive operating position. Cash flow remains steady, with key financial obligations met.

05:45:20AfrikaansAl het ons nie die geld nie, maar ons doen sekere goed wat ons moet doen.

05:45:24Collection rates are strong overall, supported by active disconnection campaigns. Please, ward councillors, don't stop us when we come to disconnect. Please. And also speak to the residents so that they don't offer our people

05:45:42I don't know whether you can call it cool drink or coffee or what, but please let's not do that. Let them let them uh uh do what they have to do.

05:45:53The city received major grants during the period, although the PTNG was reduced due to underperformance. System upgrades during December, which some of the councillors spoke about, impacted some financial reporting, but these issues are being addressed. In conclusion, the city's financial position is sound. We are not that

05:46:18dead yet. I recommend the council notes this report and continues to support efforts to strengthen collection, accelerate capital delivery, and uphold fiscal discipline. Together we would be stronger. I thank you.

05:46:36Thank you, MMC Arnolds. Does the house note this report?

05:46:42Thank you, councillors.

Item 51: MFMA in-year report to 31 January 2025

05:46:45Item 51 is the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31st January 2025.

05:46:54DA, Councillor Santana.

05:46:58Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 51, the City of Johannesburg MFMA In-Year Financial Report for the period ended 31st of January. So, Madam Speaker, I could also highlight to you, to the MMC, that factually we could have had the February report here too, but we don't. So, it's an opportunity missed yet again. But be that as it may, let's go through what the issues are. Um we note the capital expenditure um of 2.2 billion at the end of January,claim

05:47:29representing 29% of the expenditure of the 7.4 the 7.4 billion. Um further analysis of that, we note that Core has only spent 13% and the entities of 40%. So, we need to just find out why Core is lagging behind. We also note the cash and cash equivalents decreased by 111 million. Um we note the the conditional grant performance at 66%. Of concern again is our sweeping accounts,claim

05:48:00uh and I'm going to highlight those in the negative: City Power at 15.6 billion, JDA at 1.26 billion, JOSHCO at 1.6 billion, Metrobus at 50 581 million, sorry, PropCom portfolio at 173 million, Roads at 40.6 billion, MTC at 960.8 million. And then of concern, which I raised last time, is the fact of our declining collection rate. The rate for January was down to 80.9%.claim

05:48:30Now we do know, obviously, there were some issues with regards to the update SAP update over December, which obviously affected this drastically. Um, but it's still below our budgeted collection rate of 87. sorry, ja, 87.7% and National Treasury's at 95%. However, again, we brought this prior to the adjustment budget. You've based the adjustment budget at 88.6%. So, we do not see you meeting your requirements and collecting revenueclaim

05:49:00to sustain what needs to be sustained. And so much so that you even have a note in your financial stating that the city's inability to meet the budgeted collection will result in a risk of inadequate cash to fund operation commitments. We also note the fact that our debtors age analysis now shot up to 63.1 billion. And we owe our creditors 2.26 billion, all current.claim

05:49:30Of concern again is the fact that Core departments, and all the departments in Core, did not upload their reports timeously. So, my question to you is: What consequence management is and will be taken against those officials who do not comply with your reporting? Thank you.claim

05:49:50Very, we note the report.claim

05:49:55Thank you, Councillor. Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

05:50:00Good day once again, Madam Speaker, um and through you to the MMC. Um you'll you'll never going to impress the blue party by wearing blue, so maybe you must consider wearing green. Um but having said that, um I'm sure, MMC, you are looking at a different report than than I'm looking at at Item 51, the MFMA Report for January 2025, because I cannot see that the city's finances are stable. Um

05:50:30as was mentioned by Councillor Santana, the collection rate dropped further from 84% in the in the second quarter report to 80.9%. I I've got no words. Um yes, I know we had system problems, we had uh water interruptions in December, but we are heading heading for disaster. Um our debtors book jumped only in one month. In the second quarter report, it was standing at 60.7 billion,claim

05:51:01just a month later, end of January, it was standing at 63.1 billion. Um this is scary. This is frightening stuff. Um we are receiving this report; it hasn't sat on Section 79 as yet, um but I think I really want to um ask the mayoral committee when, because those reports need to go to them first for their approval, um that they also correct the mistakes in the report before it comes to council. Um the report says on the first pageclaim

05:51:31that we had a year-to-date deficit of 951 million. In fact, that was a year-to-date surplus. It makes quite a big difference um on a 951 million figure. Um but there as well, we're showing a 951 million surplus, but we still have not uh written off debt impairment since October, November, and December, and January. So, we have not made a surplus; we're actually making a huge loss, especially with the 80.9% collection rate. Umclaim

05:52:01our finances really need decisive action. Yes, and you say we are stable, but we are seven months down in the financial year. Our CapEx spending is only standing at 29%. After seven months, you've got five months left to make up the other the other 71% that we that we cannot spend because we do not have money. So, um everything goes back down to collection rate. My last question here, and it's actually not part of the MFMA report,claim

05:52:31but I asked a question yesterday on City Power's uh report: What happened to the Eskom dispute of the 3.6 billion? This is of very utmost importance in the city's financials, seeing that we're having a 951 surplus. What happened to that dispute? Does Eskom owe us 3.6, or do we owe Eskom 3.6? And I think the councillors and the residents are entitled to know what was the outcome of that of that committee, that independent committee that was supposed to giveclaim

05:53:02uh adjudication on the 6th of December last year. And we would really appreciate the answers on on those questions. Thank you very much.claim

05:53:16Thank you, Councillor Boer. ActionSA, Councillor Masuku.

05:53:32Honourable Speaker,

05:53:38uh Members of Council, the fellow residents of Johannesburg. I rise on Item 51. The latest report The latest financial reports confirm what many of us has been raising for months: a city in financial distress, a city where mismanagement has been has been, sorry, a city The latest financial reports confirm what many of us have been raising for months:claim

05:54:07a city in financial distress, a city where mismanagement has been crippled service delivery, and the city where residents are being failed daily. While we acknowledge the recommendations put forward, the people of Johannesburg do not need more reports filled with promises. They need action. They need accountability. They need real real solutions. The city financial position remains weak. The report reveals a budgetclaim

05:54:36deficit of 951 million and undercollection of revenue,

05:54:44with only 80.9% of billed revenue being collected, below the budget 84.2%. This shortfall affects the city ability to pay service providers, maintain infrastructure, and deliver essential services. Key departments as such Economic Development, Transport, and Corporate Services are failing to start spending their budget at the maximum level.claim

05:55:14It will result in crumbling the road the road networks as maintenance is delayed. The city will continue to face uh housing backlogs as Human Settlements fails to meet its target. We are extremely concerned with the crumbling of public spaces as funds meant for urban renewal remain untouched. This financial report highlights yet another crisis in Johannesburg: our inability to provide stable electricity and water services.

05:55:47City Power remains overdrawn, highlighting serious liquidity issues.

05:55:54A bulk electricity over-expenditure of 765 million due to Eskom billing dispute concerning. The water collection rate is at 77.6, leaving critical gaps in funding for infrastructure repairs. Speaker, we cannot just rely on tariffs and rates as means to generate uh revenue. We need to collect more on water and electricity system.

05:56:23We also We also a There's also a problem that we rely heavily on grants from National Treasury; we need to increase our revenue collection. Madam Speaker, the people of Johannesburg deserve answers to why their services are failing while budgets are being mismanaged. In conclusion, Speaker, the time of excuses is over. The people of Johannesburg do not need more reports telling them what they

05:56:53they already know. They need action. They need a government that is capable, accountable, and committed to deliver services. ActionSA stands firm in its commitment to fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development, and better service delivery. We will continue to hold this government accountable, and we will not rest until people of this city receive the service they deserve. Madam Speaker,

05:57:23Johannesburg can be fixed, but only if you can stop making excuses and start making real changes. Thank you.

05:57:41Thank you, Councillor Masuku. EFF, Councillor Nhlapo.

05:57:46Thank you, Speaker. I rise on Item 51. The EFF notes the report.

05:57:56Thank you, Councillor Nhlapo. ANC, Councillor Maswazi.

05:58:01Uh thank you, Speaker. The ANC would like to note the report. Thank you.

05:58:05Thank you, Councillor.

05:58:07MMC Arnolds.

05:58:11Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'd like to start off with Councillor Santana. You are correct; January and December's collections are low, and it's always been like this. It's exacerbated by the critical maintenance on the system as well. We are cumulative collections of over 86%, and we are pushing to over 88% by the year-end.claim

05:58:41Councillors, the CapEx on the report does not include commitments. It does not mean that CapEx that CapEx projects are moving. Eskom case and SANEDI report, Councillor Boer, is ongoing. This is a complex investigation, and we all want it to conclude. We definitely want this to conclude, but we must allow time for the engineers to do their work. This is a budget

05:59:11Councillors, there is a budget surplus, and we are planning to maintain the surplus, which will be the first in three years. Let's acknowledge progress and not just criticize. The metro the metro trading entities currently happening with National Treasury will fundamentally change electricity and water businesses and bring about much-needed funds for refurbishment. Madam Speaker, in conclusion, while the financial performance is stabilizing,claim

05:59:42stabilizing, there is a clear need to accelerate capital projects and improve collection. I table this report and recommend that council notes its contents. I thank you.

05:59:56Thank you, MMC. Does the house note this report?

06:00:01Thank you, councillors.

Item 52: amendment of the Waste Management By-law

06:00:05Uh councillors, we're on Item 52, and that's the amendment of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management By-law.

06:00:12DA, Councillor Koekemoer.

06:00:18Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on Item 52, the amendment of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management By-law. And today, I would like to join my fellow councillor, Councillor Schay, in the theme of deriving wisdom from children's books. Now, I won't call anybody locusts today; don't worry, Madam Speaker. Um, but there is one in particular that is quite special. Uh it's actually my favorite children's book of all time; it's Alice in Wonderland.

06:00:48And the reason why I find this book so incredibly special is it's one of those children's books where you can almost gauge your level of growth as a human being um based on how you related to the book as a child and how you relate to the book as an adult. And there is one quote in particular from this book that I would like to refer to today, and it says: "If you drink much from a bottle marked 'poison,' it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later." I'm going to repeat that: "If you drink much from a bottle marked 'poison,'

06:01:19it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later." Now, it is at this point that I want to remind council that everything we consume, whether it be food, water, or the air we breathe, comes from our natural environment. Now, unlike trees that consume the yucky stuff like carbon dioxide to give us oxygen, human beings work in the opposite way. So, we consume oxygen, clean water, and plants, and then we poison our environment.

06:01:50Now, that is kind of a natural process—I call it the collateral damage of being a human being in the 21st century. It's not always intended, um, but it does happen. But you can't expect someone, for example, to care about things like recyclable or biodegradable dustbin liners if they can't even put food on the table. So, it's kind of just a thing that happens with being human. Um, but with that said, that means that we need to be very aware

06:02:20of the effects that we have on our environment, and where we can as a city, we need to kind of put measures in place to try and mitigate against this. Now, one of the many ways we can break the cycle of poisoning and consuming poison is to be mindful of how we intentionally or unintentionally affect the environment through the waste we put into the environment and how we manage that waste, and that is where waste management by-laws come in. Now, some of the key amendments of the Waste Management By-law that's presented in the report

06:02:50refers to Chapter 3, which is owners building or renovating shall pay a deposit for cleaning to the City of Johannesburg. I think this is a very positive amendment. Um I think that is something we can definitely get behind because what is happening currently is as people develop, they start dumping wherever they see a spot because we do not have enough landfill sites anymore. Um so they just go wherever and they dump it there, and it ends up costing Pikitup quite a bit to clean it up. So, I'm glad that this was brought into this.

06:03:21Chapter 4, the formal integration of waste pickers into the waste management system. Now, this could be a very positive amendment, but I would like to pause here for a second. We can formalize the sector as much as we want to, and we cannot deny the role that informal waste pickers play in our waste management. We cannot deny that. But what I can also tell you is unless we start addressing the issue of undocumented nationals,

06:03:52we're not going to solve the problem either. They're not going to buy into the city system if they are undocumented; they would not be able to. So, that is something that we do need to have a look at. That is something that we do need to address. That is something that we do need to address before this would actually have an impact on our environment. Now, Chapter 9, um strengthening measures against illegal dumping and abandonment of waste. This is also extremely, extremely positive for us,

06:04:23um, but this should also extend to medical waste. I think our hospitals are quite reckless in this. Now, Madam Speaker, I'm hearing the chairperson scream there from the other side. You know, we got paid this morning, so I don't think I'd be doing due diligence if I'm not speaking on items that I'm responsible for in my committee. Now, these are all very necessary amendments to safeguard our natural environment and remind our residents of the responsibility to keep our environment clean. However, I would like to caution

06:04:53that by-laws are only as effective as their implementation and enforcement. So, as much effort that was put into amending these by-laws, I hope the same effort will be put into enforcing them. If we keep poisoning our environment, it is going to start disagreeing with us sooner or later. Madam Speaker, we support these amendments. Thank you.

06:05:19Thank you, Councillor. UDM, Councillor Zigebe.

06:05:24Through you, Speaker. Councillor Koekemoer, the chairperson this side was not speaking about you going home, but the illegal immigrants that you're speaking about. So, you are allowed to debate. Honourable Speaker, I rise on behalf of the United Democratic Movement and the Minority Governing Parties um to address this report. The proposed amendments to the Waste Management By-law of 2021 address uh severe environmental and public health threats.

06:05:53Johannesburg generates over 1.4 million tons of waste annually, with 90% filling near-capacity landfill sites. Illegal dumping incidents increased by 18% over three years, polluting our environment and draining resources from essential services. These amendments strategically formalize the essential role of waste pickers by providing registration and accreditation, fostering dignified employment, and enhancing the circular economy.claim

06:06:24Additionally, stricter penalties, including the fines up to 50,000 and impounding vehicles involved in illegal dumping, assert a zero-tolerance stance on environmental degradation. We recognize construction waste's significant impact and introduce a refundable deposit system to encourage responsible disposal practices, ensuring contractors bear accountability for their waste. This initiative is restorative, aiming to reduce landfill waste by 20% and increase recycling rates by 30% within three years,claim

06:06:56thus diverting 420 tons annually from landfills. These actions significantly reduce methane emissions, aligning with our city and global climate goals. Financially prudent, the amendments could generate 10 million rands annually through enhanced fines reinvested into improving waste management infrastructure, technology, and employment within the green economy. Citizens' engagement is pivotal. Public participation, supported by a budget of 93,500,claim

06:07:28ensures all community voices shape the critical changes. Our responsibility aligns with constitutional mandates and global commitments, notably the UN Sustainable Goals, SDGs: Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities; Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production; and Goal 13, Climate Change. Let us act decisively, endorsing these amendments for the future of Johannesburg, affirming our commitment to environmental sustainability,claim

06:07:58community dignity, and responsible governance. We note the report. Speaker, let me take 10 seconds as well. Uh for the past two days, in this council meeting, there have been undertones

06:08:09isiZuluzokudelela nokusa.

06:08:12And I want to tell you, Speaker,

06:08:13isiZuluukuthi uma abantu bezoza nama-scriptures besidelele ngawo, bese beza nama-quotes abuya ezincwadini zabantwana besidelele ngabo, thina sizohamba siyovusa omkhulu nokhokho bethu, sithathe ama-quotes abo sizobadelela ngabo, akuzuba mnandi kulendawo. Nkosi.emotive

06:08:35Thank you, Councillor Zigebe.

06:08:38isiZuluNgizophinde ngisho futhi

06:08:40that in this council, we don't want to stifle debate, but when we are rising to debate, let's do so in a respectful manner and not provoke each other.

06:08:56I'll move over to the following speaker, and that speaker is from the Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

06:09:03Thank you once again, Madam Speaker. Um I'm rising on Item 52, the Waste Management By-law. Um as the Freedom Front Plus, we really welcome this by-law adjustment, um especially where it addresses the two critical issues of illegal dumping and the formalizing of the waste pickers. Um that is something that we need to address; we cannot um go around that. Um and Madam Speaker, our city is dirty. Our city is very dirty.

06:09:35Um the landfill sites are full, and we can only have new landfill sites, if they are available, at an enormous cost. Um and we have to start thinking out of the box. Waste management will always be a problem, but I'm also regarding myself as an old man, um and I remember when I was still young and I was still in school, um we had various projects,

06:10:07um especially amongst the schools, um to educate children to be aware of recycling. We had "Zap It in the Zibi Bag," and we had "Collect-a-Can." Um there's so much things that we can do. Waste has got a value attached, and I think Pikitup must really investigate again uh to reduce the amount of waste that goes to our landfill sites, to go and speak to the recycling companies—

06:10:37uh recycling of plastic, uh the recycling of glass, recycling of paper and carton, um tins, and so forth—and take hands with those recycling companies and promote uh a sort of a recycling action uh amongst the schools, for example, to make competitions for the school that collects the most recyclable material, um give them cash prizes, or pay the schools for the amount of

06:11:08waste they recycle. That will have a major impact, and not only that, it will generate income for the schools, um but it will also create jobs, it will preserve our landfill sites, and it will educate our children. We have to educate our children that wasting stuff is not okay. You cannot throw stuff out of the car's window; you cannot just dump your stuff on the pavement; you cannot just do whatever you want. I think there is so many uh opportunities here that we can

06:11:40explore which won't cost us money; in fact, it will probably even make us money. And if we get to a stage where we really educate our people to start recycling the recyclable uh waste, um then we can even consider of doing Pikitup rounds once in two weeks instead of once a week. Um so I think we have to start thinking out of the box, but we really welcome this new Waste Management By-law, and we support this item. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:12:13Thank you, Councillor Boer. ACDP, Councillor Harris.

06:12:19Greetings, Madam Speaker, EM, MMCs, Chief Whip, chairpersons, colleagues, residents. I rise to speak on Item 52, the amendment of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management By-law. There are a few uh sections that need clarity. Section 33 provides for the inspection of plans, licenses, and documents. Does this extend to inspecting the material, including stolen copper pipes and cables, held

06:12:52on the premises of scrapyards and recycling businesses? Section 37 speaks about the integration of waste pickers. Will non-South Africans be integrated as well? How will the by-law affect informal waste pickers and their methods of transporting recyclable material? Section 49 talks to receptacles. The ACDP feeling is that it should be mandatory for these to be clearly marked

06:13:22with addresses, and these may not be moved more than 100 meters from the address. Just a quick aside: I was in Noordgesig one time, and we watched a guy walking past us with one of these wheelie bins, and inside the bin was the body of a person he had just killed. Uh these receptacles are used for all kinds of crimes, and I think we should be uh doing something about stopping that. Part 2, 57 states and 72.1 deals with the general business waste

06:13:54and the prohibition of littering. How do we deal with the private sector, specifically fast-food outlets like KFC and McDonald's, whose packaging is so easily discarded? How do we deal with supermarkets whose packaging material is the packet of choice in illegal dumping? How do we deal with motorists who throw litter and stompies—not Councillor De Lange—uh out of the moving vehicles? Chapter 9, 70 refers to accumulated waste.

06:14:26Are broken-down cars included? How do we deal with hoarders and the evidence of their sickness inside and outside their homes? The thread of enforcement, or the lack of it, runs through these by-laws. Uh 87.2 mentions the courts for the first time. The adoption of this by-law should encourage the city to establish a municipal court so that enforcement is taken seriously, it is swift, and a suitable deterrent to the serious anti-social behavior of dumping.

06:14:57The ACDP will advocate for an authorized enforcement official to accompany waste collection teams so that the infringements can be dealt with the minute they're identified. JMPD and CRUM must be included in the enforcement regime. Education efforts must be focused on putting a policeman in every citizen's head, rather than having people only obey the law when the policeman is visible. The ACDP urges the Communication Department to extend the public participation beyond

06:15:30the usual adverts in four publications. Please use all the elements of the digital and social media to reach younger and tech-savvy stakeholders. The ACDP—

06:15:42calls on citizens to actively participate in the amendment process and to contribute to crafting a fair and equitable by-law. The ACDP welcomes these reports and notes it. Thank you.

06:16:01Thank you, Councillor Harris. EFF, Councillor Mkasi.

06:16:08Eh, thank you very much, Speaker. Um we would like to begin by extending our revolutionary greetings to the leadership of the EFF caucus in the City of Johannesburg. Special acknowledgement to our caucus leader, Commissar Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, our Chief Whip, Councillor Chresa Mogapi, and all dedicated progressive councillors, most importantly, to resident of City of Johannesburg,

06:16:39receive our revolutionary greetings. Speaker, as the representatives of the Economic Freedom Fighters, we are pleased to address the amendments of the by-law on waste management today. This amendment reflects our commitment to the principle outlined in the 2024 EFF's People's Manifesto, which emphasize the importance of strengthening law enforcement in the realm of waste management. We are dedicated to amend and enhancing the National Environmental Management Act

06:17:10and other progressive legislation to implement stricter measures against the dumping of toxic waste. Additionally, we aim to establish the a robust rehabilitation commitments that extend beyond economic lifespan of operations. This amendment embodies those goals and we appreciate the contribution of all stakeholders involved in this proposal. Speaker, our the constitution of our country champions the right to healthy environment, as stated in Section 24.

06:17:42It affirms our obligation to protect the environment for current and future generations through appropriate legislative measures. The amendment of waste eh management by-law is not intended as a punishment, rather it serves to safeguard the well-being of our citizens. Eh it is our collective responsibility as a city to foster healthy and sustainable environment. This item has been submitted to the council for the necessary publication approval in compliance with legal requirements

06:18:15as part of by-law amendment processes. It is crucial that the draft is gazetted to enable meaningful public participation. We believe that public engagement should not merely fulfill a legal obligation. It must also exemplify the democratic values of our society. We recommend the expanding public participation opportunities beyond the traditional media channels, ensuring that residents, especially in disadvantaged areas,claim

06:18:47who lack access to newspapers and social media, are engaged in person. Speaker, we would like to encourage the residents of eh Region C to actively participate in the upcoming eh IDP consultation scheduled for Saturday, 29 March 2025 at Roodepoort Civic Center, 10:00 a.m. We encourage community members to engage constructively in the IDP processes while also holding officials accountable for the progressclaim

06:19:20since the last IDP session. It is essential to keep the meeting focused. This is a critical opportunity for community's eh voices to be heard. We urge you to create an environment where community members can express their views freely without the restrictive time limitations on their needs and priorities can be prioritized. For any resident needing information on transportation to the venue,claim

06:19:52please feel free to reach out to the EFF branch in your area. We are here to assist in coordinating logistics provided by the city. In conclusion, Speaker, the Economic Freedom Fighters fully support these recommendations and look forward to working together for a cleaner and healthier environment for all. Inkomu, Speaker.

06:20:25Thank you, Councillor Mkasi. ActionSA, Councillor Mashala.

06:20:38Thank you, beautiful Speaker. Um greetings to yourself, the Executive Mayor in absentia, um the Fabulous 44, the residents of the City of Joburg, and fellow councillors in the house. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 52. Speaker, ActionSA notes and welcomes the amendments of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management By-law that are aimed at strengthening the regulation of waste management to protect the health

06:21:11of people and the environment. Madam Speaker, we welcome this as it aligns with what we stand for as a party. We believe that as South Africans, we have an equitable role in addressing the climate challenge as responsible global citizens. Madam Speaker, waste management is an inescapable challenge of our times. Whenever waste is produced, it needs to be managed well and with the potential environmental impacts in mind to help us avoid

06:21:41unnecessary disposal, environmental damage, and the entire population's health. So, it is very vital that measures are in place to effectively manage and dispose of waste materials. Therefore, Madam Speaker, ActionSA notes this report. Thank you.

06:22:03Thank you, Councillor Mashala. MMC Mgcina.

06:22:10Thank you very much, eh Madam Speaker. Greetings, yourself, the Executive Mayor, Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs, fellow MMCs, and councillors, and residents eh at home. Let me thank um members of the committee for supporting this particular amendment eh report to the waste um the waste amendment eh report.

06:22:40Eh also note that um or agree with yourselves that this amendment seeks to address the challenges eh of illegal dumping, limited landfill sites, waste pickers issues, as well as the greenhouse gas emission, eh but also to ensure that we also comply in terms of the Waste Act um in the country. Um I think all councillors did support this particular report,

06:23:13and we welcome that support and request that this report be approved. Thank you.

06:23:22Thank you, MMC Mgcina. Councillors, the recommendations are on pages 52.3 to 52.4. Is the item agreed to? Councillors, we are going to break for lunch. We'll be back after an hour, which is 15:08.

Adjustment budget debate: DA speakers Sun and Tembe

06:45:42that has done nothing for them. They see clearly what we have done in this past year for the residents of Johannesburg to improve the service delivery on all levels in terms of basic services, social services, etc. Let us be honest, Chair, we must not lie to the people of Johannesburg that the coalition is failing them. We are fixing the mess from the ANC of the past 20 plus years where it was looted and mismanaged. That is what we are doing right now as we stand here, Chair. As the Democratic Alliance, we support all three items and recommend it. Thank you, Chair.

06:46:13Thank you, MMC Sun. Let me recognize Councillor Tembe. You have five minutes left of the DA's time.

06:46:28Thank you, Speaker. Good evening to the Executive Mayor, Chief Whip, fellow Councillors, officials, ladies and gentlemen. The Public Safety Department continues doing an outstanding job of keeping the residents of the City of Johannesburg safe. Within the limited budget given to the department, we have managed to do a number of things that were not done in the past. EMS is functional, red fleet is a top priority within the department,

06:46:58JMPD is more visible than before, licensing stations have less queues except maybe three in testing station where the officials were arrested doing the wrong things and we're dealing with the backlog. And the community engagement on crime prevention is ongoing across the city and I see the councillors of opposition party nodding, agreeing with what I'm saying. By the end of the financial year 2017/18 in June, our people would have experienced five functional fire engines. Look at their faces, they can't believe this. Nowclaim

06:47:28being operational and keeping the residents safe with the addition of newly recruited 1500 JMPD officers on the street fighting crime and making sure the rule of law is adhered to. In two weeks time from today, the 1st of March, those applications will be finalized and will be calling all those youngsters to come and do training. The department is continuing to capacitate our enforcement team to ensure a safer city with the budget allocated for firearms. Remember during the time of the ANC, all metro police didn't have firearms. So we haveclaim

06:47:58prioritized to buy firearms through this adjustment budget. When they go out on the street, they will be fully armed, protecting the citizens of the city of Johannesburg. Look at their faces, how angry they are. During the 2016/17 financial year, we achieved a success rate of 99.64% of all the citations issued. This proves that our officers are well trained to execute their duties within the confinement of law. We encourage the residents of Johannesburg to obey the rules of the road, pay their fines before JMPD find them. As I conclude, Speaker, the city of Johannesburgclaim

06:48:28residents are experiencing change and have faith in the city's leadership under Mayor Mashaba. I quote, a resident from Region B wrote to me about how efficiently traffic was controlled by the JMPD pointsmen on the corner of Jan Smuts and Empire Road during load shedding by City Power. They are doing a sterling job. Please pass my gratitude to the JMPD officers. End quote. Another email read, I quote, it has been noted over the last few days that JMPD has been actively stopping trucks on horizontal rows as per the restriction signs.claim

06:48:58Please convey the community's appreciation for this action. It will go a long way in improving road safety in the area to the benefit of all residents and road users. End quote. The DA support all three items and recommend it. Thank you, Speaker.claim

Adjustment budget debate: IFP supports; AIC speaker absent

06:49:15Thank you, Councillor Tembe. Let me recognize Councillor Nzima from the IFP. You have two minutes.

06:49:21Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let me start from the onset that as IFP, we support this adjustment budget because it will speed up the service delivery in our communities. Madam Speaker, we need this budget to be operational as soon as possible because some of our communities are congested and they are still mushrooming with shacks without proper bulk infrastructure, which causes health hazard to our communities because of sewer blockage day and night.claim

06:49:50Look at what is happening in Alexandra Township, Ivory Park, Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Zandspruit, Slovo in Crosby and Kya Sands, etc. As IFP, we welcome the money allocated to the logic in Alexandra Township, which shows the commitment and the political will to change the lives of our people in Alexandra Township under the leadership of Honorable Mayor Herman Mashaba. Even blind person can see changes are taking place since the coalition government took over from the corrupt administration of the ANC.claim

06:50:21Look at what is happening at Helen Joseph Women's Hostel. There has never been maintenance since it was built in 1972 until the coalition government came dynamically and start maintaining it while the ANC administration was using Helen Joseph Women's Hostel as a stepping stone to get votes from innocent souls. Under the same breath, the ANC administration marginalized the hostel dwellers in terms of service delivery. Under the leadership of Honorable Mayor Herman Mashaba, today hostel dwellers are considered as human beings in the city of Johannesburgclaim

06:50:51as enshrined in our constitution of the country under the Bill of Rights. Madam Speaker, hostels were demarcated by the apartheid government, separating wives from their husbands, fueling tribalism intentionally for their divide and rule strategy, and the ANC followed suit in the same strategy of sidelining the hostel dwellers. Thanks to the coalition government for prioritizing the hostel in the city of Johannesburg as part of the community. We also welcome the budget allocated to Economic Development Department, which is going to assist the youth to get jobs in order to alleviate poverty. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:51:22Thank you, Councillor Nzima. Next on my list is the AIC, Councillor Margaret Khumalo, for two minutes.

Adjustment budget debate: EFF

06:51:33Is she in the house? Councillor Margaret Khumalo? Going once, going twice, gone. Next on my list is the Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF. I have Councillor Mabunda for four minutes.

06:51:58Afternoon, Council. We need to reject with contempt the grandstanding that was displayed here earlier on by the former MMC of Finance in the city of Johannesburg. We must actually remind the residents of Johannesburg that it was under him that money was redirected, funds were redirected from poor performance to rich white suburb performance. It was under him when we have inherited huge backlogs.

06:52:28Now on the report before us, Speaker. In voting the multi-party government into office as the EFF, we had four simple basic demands of which are contained on our election manifesto and we feel that the report is responding partially to them. And those demands are as follows: An end to bucket toilets, access to water and electricity to all informal settlements, the prioritization of substance abuse unit in all clinics that was done, and extension of operating hours at clinics across the city.claim

06:52:59On the medium term budget, these priorities were never realized, hence we voted against the budget. Now that we have passed the 2016/2017 annual report on the 25th of January this year, as required by section 28(2)(e) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, which states that an adjustment budget may authorize spending of funds that were unspent at the end of the past financial year, where under spending could not reasonably have been stabilization when the annual budget for the current year was approved by the council.claim

06:53:29We are here today to pass an adjustment budget. Now Speaker, an adjustment budget must correct all anomalies and errors committed when the annual budget was passed because it is informed by the mid-year performance assessment report which was tabled before this house some weeks back. In the adjustment budget, the revenue moves from 48.2 billion to 47.7 billion, which is a downward adjustment of 1%, whereas the expenditure moves downwards with only 0.2%.claim

06:54:01This is worrisome considering our collection rate, which is deteriorating drastically below target on all revenue generating entities, with City Power being the worst performer, which will lead us utilizing our reserves and affecting our liquidity ratio which will lead to downgrades. However, a downward adjustment in expenditure is welcomed though minimal. Now as the EFF, we want to caution the executive against passing unimplementable budgets which lead to downward adjustment of capital expenditure with 737 million, which is unacceptable considering huge backlogs of infrastructureclaim

06:54:33that has been inherited from the previous regime of kleptocracy. Despite the downward adjustment on capex, we still welcome the upward adjustment of JRA allocation with 167 million for gravel roads upgrades in Ivory Park, Mayibuye, Doornkop, Protea South, Lawley, Kaalfontein, Kliptown, and Drieziek. Though as the EFF, we would have loved to see more money allocated to JRA so that we also cover areas like Orange Farm, Poortjie, Diepsloot, and Bram Fischerville.claim

06:55:05We also welcome the allocation to Environment and Infrastructure Services Department in order to fast-track electrification of informal settlements in Region G, F, C, and A, as we can all agree that access to electricity is a basic human right and restores dignity of our people who live in the informal settlement and reduces fire risk. We also welcome the allocation of 40 million to Metrobus for the refurbishment and purchasing of buses in order to restore reliability of the fleet as our working class rely heavily on Metrobus.claim

06:55:39The allocation of 80 million for the purchasing of specialized vehicles in Pikitup in order to insource the service to Pikitup and do away with corrupt tenders must be welcomed by all progressive forces as well. Now going forward, as the EFF, we would like to see JOSHCO being allocated enough budget to eradicate housing backlog that has been inherited from the previous corrupt regime. And we call upon the MMC of Housing to deal decisively with the issue of allocation of houses of which has been marred by corruption as preliminary reports suggest that the corrupt activities were orchestrated by some councillors seated on my right.claim

06:56:15In closing, Speaker, I would like to urge the executive to prioritize insourcing of security guards and cleaners in order to stop theexploitation of workers by tenderpreneurs and get value for money by the city. The EFF supports the adjustment budget. Thank you.

Adjustment budget debate: ANC rejects (Councillor Matabane)

06:56:31Thank you, Councillor Mabunda. Let me recognize Councillor Matabane from the ANC. You have five minutes.

06:56:41Let me start by greeting the leadership of the African National Congress, the caucus of the ANC at large, all other parties represented in Council, and most importantly, the community of the City of Johannesburg that makes it possible for us to sit here in this Council today. Let me start with the previous speaker of the EFF that spoke now. Well, the ANC rejects the adjustment budget, unlike the EFF that rejects and accepts and welcomes the budget all in one sentence.

06:57:13This proves that politics of flip-flopping and politics of opportunism are the order of the day in the EFF. That is very clear. They must tell us whether they are accepting the budget or whether they are rejecting it, and not come here and grandstand on things that doesn't make sense. Secondly, when it comes to the response to Councillor Sun and Councillor Tembe, first and foremost we need to understand that JMPD is meant to prevent crime and also enforce bylaws. By arming them, you are actually declaring war to our citizens of this city.

06:57:45Because now what it means is that at the end of the day it's going to be gunfire blazes and all those things in a quest for you to try and fight crime, whereas you need to prevent it. That is the mandate of the JMPD. Well, clearly you don't know your mandate. All of us we know that you are failing in your department, so I'm not even going to waste time entertaining what you've just said now. The ANC notes the report of the mid-year review and adjustment budget for the 2017/2018 financial year. Today marks a very sad day for the residents of Johannesburgclaim

06:58:17and the poorest of the poor in our communities across the city, who are the voters that put all of us here in this council today. While some councillors, the Mayor, and the MMCs will leave the council chamber today, they will drive their luxury cars back to the comfort of their homes in affluent suburbs which are dark and full of potholes, with the grass uncut and traffic lights not working because of poor performance in terms of service delivery of the DA-led coalition administration. Wait!claim

06:58:47With the support of the EFF, of course. Our people are left destitute with no hope that the dream of a better life will ever be realized in their lifetime. The DA-led coalition government has tabled before council an adjustment budget that takes us back to the dark days of apartheid, where the majority of black people were systematically excluded to the periphery in the delivery of quality services. The adjustment budget that is tabled here today has cut the budget of the Social Development Department by nearly 13 million.claim

06:59:19This means that programs such as the Extended Social Package, food resilience programs, dignity packs for thegirl child, early childhood development programs, youth development programs which seeks to cushion the indigent from the extreme poverty and help them to access economic opportunities will be negatively affected. Well, as the ANC we are not surprised by this move, as the DA-led coalition administration has been systematic in its approach in excluding the black majority, who are mostly indigent, from accessing basic services in the city. Let me remind councilclaim

06:59:53that first it was Jozi@Work that was cancelled without providing an alternative, leaving thousands of our people jobless. Secondly, it was the introduction of a R200 surcharge on prepaid electricity users who are mostly the poorest of the poor, which you only backtracked because the ANC took the matter up on behalf of the residents of the city. Thirdly, the DA-led coalition increased tariffs, rentals on social housing units of JOSHCO, and cosmic tariffs which were increased by more than 100%, pricing out the poor from accessing basic services from the city.claim

07:00:29Lastly, it was canceling the contract of security guards while selling a pipedream of insourcing, which was later changed to absorption of security guards after realizing that the city did not have capacity or budget for insourcing, leaving 4000 security guards who are mostly black jobless. What the DA-led coalition has done was to hire a private security company at a cost of 35,000 per day without following supply chain processes. It is only 1500 JMPD trainees that are going to be absorbed now. What is going to happen to the 2500 that is left?claim

07:01:05It means that those people will be jobless and they are going to be subjected to extreme poverty. Even on the Jozi@Work workers who were protesting outside our council chamber during the last sitting of council and blocking the highway in protest of salaries owed to them since October last year, only Pikitup workers have been absorbed, leaving hundreds of workers who were contracted in other departments and entities jobless. Well, in Health Department it creates an impression that the adjustment budget is increased by 10 million,

07:01:37which is very misleading because 7.5 million goes to contracted services for the tracking of files and records, and only 2.5 million goes to the extension of hours in clinics. This confirms that the DA-led coalition is privatizing services of the city by stealth, by taking money that is meant for rendering basic services in our communities and channeling it to private companies, because we know you are representing white monopoly capital, while selling the pipedream of insourcing. All of this is done with the blessing of the red overalls, who are the noisy coalition partners of the DA.

07:02:12The ANC rejects this anti-poor adjustment budget, which reverses the gains made by the ANC in the past 24 years of bringing dignity to our people. Thank you.

Adjustment budget debate: DA Councillor Deppe on infrastructure allocations

07:02:22Thank you, Councillor Matabane. Next on my list is Councillor Deppe from the DA. You have five minutes.

07:02:46Thank you, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, fellow Councillors, guests, and the media, ladies and gentlemen. The ANC in the last 22 years did not prioritize the maintenance of our existing infrastructure or building new infrastructure to cater for our growing population across the city. Under the ANC administration, the narrative of splitting services between the rich and the poor was perpetuated because in truth the ANC does not care about our poor residents. They care only for their votes. Just take a drive into any of our informal settlements, Madam Speaker,claim

07:03:18and you will be shocked at the condition our people are living in due to the uncaring ANC government. The ANC does not care about lifting our people out of poverty because then they cannot buy their votes with food parcels and t-shirts before elections. They do not care about empowering people to get jobs, build their own businesses, or live in dignified conditions. The ANC left us with an institutionaliseddecay and an infrastructure backlog of R170 billion across the three major service delivery entities: City Power, Joburg Water, and the JRA.claim

07:03:52To this multi-party government, it is clear we need to ensure that we upgrade the existing infrastructure so our residents have the basic services they require. Our priority has been, since coming into office in August 2016, to provide tangible, quality services to our people, whether they live in informal settlements or suburbs. Everyone deserves to live in a city that works. Over the past 18 months, we have prioritized rolling out critical infrastructure across the city and stabilizing our entities' finances.claim

07:04:24Let me talk to City Power, where we inherited a crisis, and currently they have a negative cash balance of R1.8 billion due to corruption and mismanagement. When we came into office, all of the substations needed upgrades. Many of our informal settlements did not have electricity. We prioritized upgrading the substations, and many have already been completed over the last 18 months. Today in the adjustment budget, we are giving an additional R10 million to complete the electrification of 1,500 houses in Plot 323, Region G, and R5 million for bulk infrastructure in Kibler Park.claim

07:05:00An additional R7.5 million is allocated to complete the electrification of formalization of Princess Plots in Region C, R20 million for inner-city servitude, R36 million to upgrade four substations in Roodepoort, Eldorado Park, Cleveland, and in Region E. And to curb the theft and vandalism, R14 million is allocated for security infrastructure at the substations. An additional R25 million is required for new service connections across the city, and R20 million to replace aged and faulty pillar boxes.claim

07:05:35R38.4 million is to ensure we roll out additional public lighting to keep our residents safe at night. Moving on to Joburg Water, a further R5 million is allocated to ensure that we provide basic water services to informal settlements across the city. In the Adjustment Budget, R33.7 million has been shifted between projects in order to upgrade our sewer networks and to refurbish our wastewater treatment works, such as the Ennerdale, Northern, Bushkoppies, Goudkoppies, Olifantsvlei, and Driefontein works.claim

07:06:08Water demand management is also receiving an additional R30 million to curb water losses across the city, which includes the Soweto infrastructure upgrade and renewal. Moving on to Pikitup, our cleaning entity is allocated an additional R75 million to purchase specialized vehicles so we are able to keep our city clean and ensure that we have trucks available instead of spending money hiring the yellow fleet at exorbitant costs. The rest of the capex budget, Madam Speaker, is allocated to separation at source and the upgrading of our garden sites and landfill sites to keep them compliant.claim

07:06:44Due to community protest issues on site, a number of projects were delayed and funding had to be redirected to other projects, which will be prioritized in the next financial year. Through this Adjustment Budget, we are committed to ensuring that we reduce the R170 billion backlog and deliver services to all our residents. This government is turning the decay and neglect left by the ANC into a developmental city which will attract investment and job creation. The DA supports all three items and the recommendations. Thank you, Madam Speaker.claim

Adjustment budget debate: COPE and FF+ support

07:07:17Thank you, Councillor Deppe. Next on my list is Councillor Adolf Marema from COPE. You have two minutes.

07:07:30Thank you, Madam Speaker. Congress of the People welcomes and supports the 2017/18 mid-year review Adjustment Budget before council today. Looking specifically to the department of transport, Congress of the People welcomes the upward adjustment on the capital budget for Metrobus of R40 million for bus refurbishment and the purchasing of buses in order to restore the reliability of the fleet. Many of our residents rely on public transport to travel to and from work on a daily basis, and it has been a challenge for our commuters when they were left stranded due to breakdowns of buses.claim

07:08:07This adjustment budget will go a long way in ensuring that we have reliable buses on the road and our people can get to work on time. We also welcome the allocation of R167 million to JRA for the gravel roads upgrades in Ivory Park, Mayibuye, Doornkop, Protea South, Lawley, Kaalfontein, Kliptown, and Drieziek. For too long, our people have been walking on muddy roads when it rains and dust when it is dry. This will restore the dignity of our people in these areas.claim

07:08:40Congress of the People also welcomes the allocation of R5 million for the logic in Alexandra Township, which shows that this multi-party government cares for the people of Alexandra. We also welcome the upward adjustment of R32 million in the Department of Economic Development to capacitate the Opportunity Centres across the city, which will assist our SMMEs and youth to access opportunities and grow the economy of the city. Congress of the People supports all three items on the agenda. Thank you, Madam Speaker.claim

07:09:13Thank you, Councillor Marema. Next on my list is CouncillorFrancois... Oh, sorry, Councillor Franco De Lange from the Freedom Front Plus. You have two minutes.

07:09:27AfrikaansBaie dankie, agbare Speaker. Die Vryheidsfront Plus ondersteun hierdie aansuiweringsbegroting, want dit is 'n begroting wat fokus op dienslewering vir al die inwoners van Johannesburg. Vir jare lank onder die ANC-bewind is ons infrastruktuur verwaarloos en geld is gemors op korrupte tenders en kaders. Vandag sien ons 'n begroting wat geld kanaliseer na waar dit werklik nodig is: die opgradering van substasies, die herstel van slaggate, die opgradering van grondpaaie, en die aankoop van vullisvragmotors sodat ons nie meer afhanklik is van korrupte kontrakteurs nie.

07:10:04Madam Speaker, the Freedom Front Plus welcomes the allocation of funds to City Power for the upgrading of substations in Roodepoort and other areas, as well as the replacement of aged pillar boxes. This will go a long way in stabilizing the electricity supply in our suburbs and reducing power outages. We also welcome the allocation to JMPD for the recruitment of 1,500 new officers and the purchasing of firearms so that our officers can protect themselves and the residents of this city against criminals.claim

07:10:37AfrikaansDie ANC kla vandag oor die begroting, maar hulle vergeet dat dit hulle gemors is wat ons vandag moet skoonmaak. Hulle het 'n R170 miljard infrastruktuur-agterstand agtergelaat. Hierdie koalisieregering is besig om die skipom te draai en hoop te bring vir al die inwoners van Johannesburg. Die Vryheidsfront Plus steun al drie items op die agenda. Baie dankie, Speaker.claim

Adjustment budget debate: ANC rejects (Councillor Mahlangu)

07:11:01Thank you, Councillor De Lange. Next on my list is Councillor Mahlangu from the ANC. You have five minutes.

07:11:15Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let me greet the leadership of the African National Congress, fellow councillors, and the residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, what we are witnessing today is a coalition of the confused, led by a mayor who is out of touch with the realities of the people of Johannesburg. Councillor Deppe comes here and talks about a R170 billion backlog, a thumb-sucked figure that they have been repeating for the past 18 months without any scientific proof or audit report to back it up, just to justify their failure to deliver services to our people.

07:11:52Let us look at the facts in this adjustment budget, Madam Speaker. The capital budget has been adjusted downwards by R737 million. What does this mean in simple terms? It means that R737 million worth of infrastructure projects that were promised to the people of Johannesburg in May last year will not be delivered in this financial year. That is failure, pure and simple. You cannot celebrate cutting capital expenditure when our people are crying for houses, roads, water, and electricity.claim

07:12:27Look at the Department of Housing, Madam Speaker. The capital budget of Housing has been cut by R250 million in this adjustment budget, and JOSHCO's budget has also been cut significantly. How do you claim to be a pro-poor government when you take away R250 million meant to build houses and upgrade informal settlements for the poorest of the poor? Our people in Alexandra, in Diepsloot, in Orange Farm, inKliptown are waiting for houses, and this DA-led coalition, supported by the EFF, is cutting the housing budget.claim

07:13:03The EFF comes here and says they want JOSHCO to be given more money to eradicate the housing backlog, yet in the same breath they say they support an adjustment budget that cuts the housing budget by R250 million. How do you explain that contradiction to the voters? You tell our people that you are fighting for land and housing, yet you vote with the DA to cut the housing budget of the City of Johannesburg. The people of Johannesburg are watching you, and they can see that you have sold them out for positions and tenders in this city.

07:13:38Let us look at the revenue collection of the city, Madam Speaker. Under the ANC administration, led by former Mayor Parks Tau and former MMC Geoffrey Makhubo, the City of Johannesburg was collecting above 92% of its revenue, and we had a healthy cash balance of over R5 billion. Today, under this DA-led coalition, revenue collection has dropped to below 86%, and the city is facing a liquidity crisis. That is why they had to go hat in hand to borrow R2.9 billion from DBSA just to pay salaries and keep the lights on, something that never happened under the ANC.claim

07:14:17City Power is technically insolvent under their watch, with a negative cash balance of R1.8 billion because they appointed an unqualified CEO irregularly and destabilized the entity. Joburg Water and Pikitup are also bleeding cash because of poor leadership and political interference by the Mayor and his MMCs. Instead of fixing the billing crisis, they have made it worse, with thousands of residents receiving inflated bills and their services being cut off unfairly.claim

07:14:49Madam Speaker, this adjustment budget is an admission of failure by the DA-led coalition government. It is a budget that punishes the poor by cutting social development and housing budgets, while failing to collect revenue from the affluent suburbs. As the African National Congress, we cannot betray the people of Johannesburg by supporting this regressive, anti-poor adjustment budget. We reject it in its entirety. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Adjustment budget debate: MMC Funzela Ngobeni on smart city projects

07:15:19Thank you, Councillor Mahlangu. Let me now recognize the MMC for Development Planning, Councillor Funzela Ngobeni, for six minutes.

07:15:33Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon to the Executive Mayor, fellow MMCs, councillors, and the officials of the city. Madam Speaker, it is always amusing to listen to the ANC...

07:15:42that has been the bone of contention for all our citizens in the communities. Now they're able to interact with them directly using their phones just with a touch of a button and a selfie that they are sending through. We've launched our chatbot service called Pule the Service Delivery Activist. That's actually the brain of the work that the councillors have to do with our citizenry. We've launched our interactive map the Johannesburg Data Insights Hub, our interactive reporting portal to enable the citizens to also access reports directly on our portal using their phone or their laptop.

07:16:16We also are now going for the development of a smart ward, our prototype ward using the smart services and we started with all these projects we are building into what we have envisioned with the development of our strategy so that it is real and tangible for our citizens and the rest of our partners on the ground. We have collaborated heavily across all levels of government from national to local and provincial

07:16:44with institutions in the research space, institutions in the private sector and the state-owned enterprise, institutions with the academia and the banking sector. Just recently we signed three agreements one with standard bank, one with Council of Mineral Technology in Randburg that was Mintek, the other one with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR, a few more agreements are lined up for a council signature. For all these, it costs the City of Joburg zero cents.

07:17:14Yes, the value on return value for the city of Joburg on investment will amount to multi million rands and multi billion rands for our economy, creating the jobs that we need, developing the skills that we need for our citizenry across the spectrum and the different fields of work and profession. And I would like to end by saying...